Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Nice War Memorial, in the presence of Olivier Robaut, Municipal Counselor delegated to Veterans Affairs, and François Rabut, President of the Commission for the Commemoration of the Centenary of the First World War.
To celebrate the 90 years of the War Memorial, the 32-meter-high structure was adorned with its most beautiful and largest tricolored flag in blue, white, and red.
After a historical account of the structure by Olivier Robaut and the opening of the ceremony by the Municipal Music of the firefighter brigade, three students from the Nice schools of Baumettes, Jules Ferry, and Nikiaïa read excerpts from Marshal Foch’s speech. These passages were delivered during the inauguration on January 29, 1928.
Christian Estrosi then laid a wreath of flowers at the foot of the structure. As in 1928, a cannon shot was fired, followed by the national anthems of England, America, Italy, and France. The three attending schools participated alongside the band, singing the Marseillaise and Nissa la Bella. Finally, the Mayor delivered his very solemn speech.
For the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, the city of Nice will spruce up the War Memorial. As every year, Nice participates in the national commemoration and on this occasion, the Mayor of Nice confirmed its restoration: “We will restore all its splendor to our War Memorial.” To make the ceremony a “memorable celebration,” a planning committee composed of Olivier Robaut, Maurice Albert, François Rabut, and veterans’ associations will organize it.
The memory will be passed on to younger generations. “We want the veterans to be able to share their stories with Nice schoolchildren,” Christian Estrosi confided.
