“Mai 68” – France’s “Cultural Revolution” in photos

To mark the 50th anniversary of “Mai 68”, Hong Kong Baptist University is hosting a photo exhibition of French photographer Philippe Gras till November 30.

The 43 photos - which were discovered after Gras’ death in 2007 - reminisces three months of unrest - which some may compare with events that unfolded in Hong Kong.

The 1968 unrests were mostly described as “anti-imperialist”, at times during which social movements were at their peak worldwide. The arrest of 500 - mostly students -   triggered thousands of students, teachers, and citizens to solidarize with the movement.

Police laid a violent crackdown on the protesters and the most famous of all night was on May 10, when police used Molotov cocktails and burned cars to disperse a crowd of more than 10,000 sheltered by 60 barricades. It was the beginning of a 48-hour violent clash along what is known to Parisians as the Left Bank.

Millions of workers went on strike and the unrest ended with the assembly’s dissolution which led to the departure of President Charles de Gaulle.

Professor Michel Bonnin, adjunct professor in the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said that “Mai 68” could change French society is because French as it was a democratic country. Although the government was elected, it could not ignore the deep dissatisfaction expressed during the movement and the aspiration of young people for more freedom.

Prof. Bonin mentioned that there are similarities between Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement and France’s 68 movement which is the huge gap between the aspirations of the youth and the existing system.

However, Prof. Bonin added that the differences between May 68 and Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement is that the political situation in Hong Kong seems totally blocked, and the government has not accepted the demands of protesters.