Romain Rolland : the First World War as seen from Switzerland

Romain Rolland incarne la figure de l’antihéros : écrivain connu et reconnu à travers le monde grâce au succès littéraire de Jean-Christophe, il tombe à partir de 1914 dans une dissidence intellectuelle dont il ne parvient pas à se sortir. L’article « Au-dessus de la Mêlée » est asséné depuis la Suisse, lieu de refuge pour de nombreux européens voulant demeurer libres. Il devient à l’échelle du monde un exemple à suivre. Ses articles, sa correspondance et sa posture sont observés, relayés, admirés. La diffusion de ses idées et de ses écrits touche l’Europe et le monde. Que cela plaise ou que cela irrite, malgré les acteurs en présence et les nationalismes exacerbés par les circonstances du conflit, il assume ses paroles et ses actes. Il adresse au monde un message humaniste afin de défendre la Justice et la Vérité.The story of Romain Rolland is that of an antihero. The literary success of his epic novel, Jean-Christophe,turned him into an internationally famous and well-respected writer; but, from 1914 onwards, he becametrapped in the role of intellectual dissident, and would never really break free from it. His controversialarticle entitled “Au-dessus de la Mêlée” (“Above the Crowd”) was written in Switzerland, which had becomea refuge for many intellectuals. He became an inspiration for people the world over. They paid close attentionto his articles, his correspondence and his attitude, and discussed and admired them. The dissemination ofhis ideas and of his writing had a huge impact on Europe and on the wider world. What he was sayingappealed to some, and outraged others; and in particular, often offended the nationalistic feelings that werebeing exacerbated by the conflict – but he always took full responsibility for his words and actions. He putforward a humanist message to the world, in defence of Justice and Truth