Paris – June 2, 2026: A solemn ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris to commemorate the late philosopher and sociologist Edgar Morin. The event will begin at 11 a.m. and will be presided over by President Emmanuel Macron. Originally planned to take place in the Cour d’Honneur at the Hôtel des Invalides, the ceremony has been moved to the Dome Courtyard due to renovation works.
Edgar Morin, born Edgar Nahum, came from a Jewish family in Thessaloniki, Greece, and later moved to Paris. In 1941, he joined the French Communist Party and participated in the Resistance under the pseudonym Morin. His intellectual career is marked by numerous works, including the 1959 book Self-Criticism, in which he reflected on his expulsion from the Communist Party and criticized Stalinism. The Orleans Rumor (1969) explored a wave of anti-Semitic rumors, and his six-volume Methodology published from 1977 to 2004 is considered his major work. In addition, he wrote several books focusing on ecological issues, which were especially important to him.
As a historian, philosopher, and scientist, Morin was dedicated to breaking down disciplinary boundaries. He advocated for an interdisciplinary perspective capable of deeply understanding and conveying the complex interconnections of modern society. Despite his advanced age, he remained a highly respected voice in the intellectual community, with his insights widely praised by the media.
President Emmanuel Macron honored Morin as “a Resistance fighter, an active and free thinker, a writer and thinker of the century, and a defender of nature and peoples.” He called Morin “the embodiment of humanism” and emphasized “the complexity of his thinking, his rich life, and his universal spirit.”
The ceremony will be covered by multiple media outlets: French television will air special programs on Sunday, June 1 at 6:40 p.m. on France 5 channel titled In Society and Political Science in tribute to Morin’s life and work. On Wednesday, June 3 at 9:05 p.m., France 5 will also broadcast a special edition of The Great Library, reviewing important moments from his many programs.
Edgar Morin left a significant intellectual legacy that profoundly influenced the French field of thought. His interdisciplinary approach and spirit of striving for a fairer, sustainable world will continue to inspire many.
Sources
- TF1 News
- French Television Professional Channel