The Show
This work of art by the poet Jean Goujon comprises 30 poems and songs about the second world war and the Normandy Landings, the tragic and intense period from 1939 to 1945 revisited in an original way with the humanity of an artist. It has more general topics : the song « The Paths to Freedom»as the work of art was named, « A Para’s Letter », or « All together: Hymn to Peace», there is a tribute to civilian victims in songs like : « The exodus», « The camps» and « Oradour sur Glane», as well as a tribute to the men : « From de Gaulle to Moulin», « Leclerc», « Dear Veteran», not forgetting legendary places like Sainte Mère Eglise,Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Arromanches, Juno Beach, Montormel, Paris, Bastogne, Arnhem, Stalingrad, Berlin and so many others.
This work of art, « The Paths to Freedom » is rich and moving, thrilling the audience reading or listening to it.
All texts have been translated into English, some of them into Dutch and German.
The work of art is available as : poem cards, postcards, CDs n°1 and n°2, DVDs, (in most museums) about the 1939-1945 period (and in several shops near historic sites.)
The Paths to Freedom Show
First time live :
In may 2000 , during the memorial day, in the American cemetery at Saint James.
In 2001 live from Arromanches during the TV show « Télépomme»( FR3 channel), Jean was working with a musical tape.
Then, he met Emilio Corfa and his musicians in June 2003. CEnjoying his works, they set about working with him on what was - to them- a new musical universe, learning how to play this score « The Paths to Freedom».
They played a first show together at Saint Martin Le Bouillant, a little village. There was an audience of 60, very moved at the show. From this day on, they performed in Theatres at Bayeux and Saint -Lô and enjoyed a great year (2004) which peaked with the live show outdoors at Arromanches, down from the museum with 3000 persons in the audience, the inauguration of the artificial harbour at Omaha (2200), the show at the Zénith concert hall (Caen), with almost 4000 persons ; thus ending the 60 th anniversary of the Landings.
«Magical Nights» 2007 : at Sainte Mère Eglise (Les Nuits Magiques) :
Video extract
Let us not forget the concerts in churches at Colleville sur Mer, Mesnil Rogues, Sainte Mère Eglise. In the years 2005 and 2006 the great adventure went on with a second show at the Zénith, one at the Lisieux Basilica, and a big show outdoors at Celles in Belgium (almost 3000 persons in the audience)
Then the big shows in 2007 :
5 th June 2007 at Longues sur Mer (8000 persons), 10 musicians, 20 choir members, 100 actors and extras
on 14th, 15th and 16 th August 2007. « Magical Nights », at Sainte Mère Eglise : 20,000 persons, including 12,000 for the last evening
What makes the popular acclaim of Jean Goujon’s show is the emotion you cannot help but feel, the audience felt the magic of this show, not unlike a journey aboard a time machine.
From «The Exodus» to «Paris», through «Remember Omaha» to «An 8-year old in a blazing Berlin», the show cannot be described; it has to be experienced, listening to the songs, seeing the staging and watching the archive films. It can be both moving and catchy, not to mention many other feelings and ends with amazing fireworks. "You can hardly leave such a show unscathed",said Gilles Perrault , the man who wrote the foreword to Jean’s compilation. Bill Coleman, who is a Omaha veteran, said it was the most beautiful tribute to veterans ever. Today, whole families come to experience this historic and musical « fresco»; children, parents and grandparents coming to share such a scarce moment, it is a great thrill. This is, without a doubt, the greatest achievement of « The Paths ot Freedom».
Zénith at Caen 2004 :
60 th anniversary of the landings
a happy and enthusiatic audience
(video extract)
Zénith de Caen 2004 :
Extract of : "JUNO"
Homage to the Canadians.
Professionnal Access
The team of "The Paths of Freedom"
