August 28, 1944, marks the day of the liberation of the city of Nice. An important date in the history of the city. On this occasion, a commemorative ceremony took place at the forecourt of the Monument aux Morts de Rauba Capeu.
Seven cannon shots were fired for the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Nice. They marked the start of the ceremony, in the presence of Christian Estrosi, Deputy Mayor of Nice, Eric Ciotti, President of the General Council of the Alpes-Maritimes, and Adolphe Colrat, Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes.
A minute of silence was observed, followed by the Marseillaise as a tribute to the fallen. This year, 32 doves were released under the amazed gaze of the public. A symbolic act, in memory of the 32 fighters who fell during the battles on August 28, 1944.
Christian Estrosi subsequently delivered a speech in honor of the fallen residents of Nice:
“Thus, 32 fighters of dignity gave their lives on August 28, 1944, in the battles that bloodied their city. These battles are always among us, with us, on this day and all other days. Their noble sacrifice is symbolized by the release of 32 doves that have joined in the sky, their final resting place.”
“It is to the man who was the supreme resistor and the guarantor of French independence that the greatest tribute is paid to our city and its freedom fighters. ‘Nice, through the heroic sacrifice of its children, has freed itself from its occupiers. Nice liberated, Nice proud, Nice glorious.’ You know these words, they are those of General de Gaulle, spoken a few months later, on April 9, 1945, at Place Masséna.”
The end of the Deputy Mayor’s speech was marked by the flyover of the Mustang P51 airplane, which flew over the Monument aux Morts several times.
Around 7 PM, the officials headed to the Quai des États-Unis on foot to attend the parade of vintage military vehicles.
