115 years after Ho Chi Minh sought path to save Vietnam: Paris museum preserves precious archives

In Paris, France, a museum dedicated to Freemasonry holds significant historical documents detailing Nguyen Ai Quoc's journey to find a way to save Vietnam. More than a century has passed since Nguyen Ai Quoc, later known as Ho Chi Minh, arrived in France to begin his quest for national salvation.

The Grand Orient de France (GODF) archives, located at 16 rue Cadet in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, carefully preserve traces of his search and learning. This institution, the largest Masonic organization in France, also functions as a repository of historical memory, housing a library, archives, and a museum.

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For the archivists, these are not simply old papers but fragments of history that need to be protected.

Among the valuable materials is Nguyen Ai Quoc's application to join the Freemasons, a document preserved within the GODF library. Emma Lallemand, a librarian at GODF, explained that many of the organization's documents come from donations by members or their families. These include letters, manuscripts, and mementos that have been safeguarded for decades.

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one of the things that makes her most proud of her work is the feeling of contributing to preserving a part of humanity's memory for future generations

Lallemand highlighted the importance of their work, stating that for archivists, these are not just old papers but fragments of history that need protection. The GODF library contains around 40,000 documents, including books, journals, research papers, historical files, and administrative records. Specially valuable items are stored under strict environmental controls and are being digitized for long-term preservation.

Denis Sisco, who manages visitor and research group reception at the French Masonic Museum, noted that the museum has been recognized as a "Museum of France" since 2003. It showcases thousands of artifacts reflecting over three centuries of Freemasonry's development in France and Europe, including ceremonial aprons, paintings, ceramics, and documents dating back to the 18th century. Sisco emphasized that each exhibit tells a story, preserving historical narratives and lessons that might otherwise be lost.

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Behind each exhibit is a story