Item of the month

The Collections Department is displaying the letter sent by singer Bono to the family of Samuel Paty, a teacher murdered on October 16, 2020, in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine. A symbol of solidarity and international tribute, it enriches the collections of the future Museum and Memorial of Terrorism.

Bono, the iconic lead singer of the rock band U2, sent two letters to the Paty family after the song “One” was performed during the memorial ceremony for Samuel Paty at the Sorbonne on October 21, 2025. The first letter was addressed to Gabriel, Samuel Paty’s son, and the second, more general letter, was addressed to the entire family. These letters, which deeply moved the loved ones of the murdered teacher, bear witness to the global impact of this tragedy and to the commitment of international figures—particularly musicians—to freedom of expression and secularism. The future Museum and Memorial of Terrorism also aims to highlight songs written in tribute to the terrorist attacks that have occurred in France.

The donation of the second letter addressed to the family, which took place in February, is part of an effort to preserve collective memory and honor the gestures of support received by the Paty family. This document, both personal and universal, illustrates the resilience and solidarity that emerged after the attack. Along with other items donated by the family, these pieces complement the museum’s collections, offering future visitors a moving testament to the tribute paid to Samuel Paty and to all teachers committed to republican values.