French Teachers Use Weeping Eiffel Tower Image To Help Kids Understand Attacks

By Reuters Nov 17, 2015 10:55 EST

French teachers are using the cartoon image of a weeping Eiffel Tower to help young children understand what happened in last Friday's attacks in Paris that killed at least 129 people.

The image of a grieving, humanized Eiffel Tower holding hands with young children and gazing at a pool of blood appears in a special online edition of the 'astrapi' paper that explains how "men full of hate" carried out the attacks.

"What we know is that these were terrorists, people who use violence and terror to impose their ideas," says the text of the online paper, which is aimed at young children.

"The first thing we feel is fear. To make sure that does not stay inside us, we have to talk about it."

The online paper also includes comments from children.

"Can the terrorists come into our house?" asks 7-year-old Antoine. "Is it true that France is at war?" asks Julie, aged 8.

The education ministry has tweeted the cartoon featuring France's most famous monument and included material from the online paper in a briefing given to teachers who spoke to children of the events when they returned to school on Monday.

Mon Quotidien, a paper aimed at older children, included a map of the Middle East showing the parts of Syria and Iraq now occupied by Islamic State.

France has a strong tradition of keeping religion out of state education, a policy criticized in some quarters for helping fuel mistrust and fear of its Muslim community, the largest in Europe.

France and Russia both staged air strikes on Islamic State targets in northern Syria on Tuesday as Paris formally requested European Union assistance in its fight against the group behind Friday's attacks. A manhunt is continuing for one of the eight attackers. The other seven died on Friday.

Most Popular

Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.
‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.
Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.
Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.
Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.