In Nice, July 14th is celebrated with mixed feelings: joy for this national holiday, a symbol of the Republic (even though the history is a bit more complicated), and remembrance for the horrific terrorist attack in 2016, with its procession of deaths, injuries, and nightmares.
In memory of this day and the 86 victims and hundreds of injured people of all nationalities and religious faiths, the municipality of Nice and the Family Committee will organize a tribute ceremony (at 4 p.m.) at Villa Masséna, where the memorial honoring the victims is located, with the presence of Prime Minister Jean Castex.
The tribute ceremony will be modest and intimate. It will take place in the gardens of Villa Masséna and will conclude with the release of 86 doves. During this ceremony, National Medals of Recognition for Victims of Terrorism will be presented to the families who wish to receive them.
In consultation with the victims’ associations, the Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, announced several enhancements to the Memorial at Villa Masséna. Thus, the heart will be enlarged, a water jet will complement the fountain, and new flower arrangements will be added.
Finally, this year, the victims’ associations wanted a concert that is both accessible to the general public and aimed at youth. To meet this expectation, the City of Nice proposed a concert by Grand Corps Malade, a slam artist, poet, and French singer-songwriter. This concert will take place at 9 p.m. in the Albert 1er Gardens.
The choir “AnimaNice Choir of the City of Nice” will close the concert by performing the song “Feux d’artifices” by Calogero, with the participation of Ilan, an 11-year-old singer who moved all of France in the show The Voice Kids by singing Calogero’s song.
At the end of the concert, at 10:34 p.m. (time of the attack), the 86 beams of the Promenade des Anglais will light up.
Finally, a collaborative space for the victims’ associations will be provided within the grounds of the Paillon promenade to allow for the presentation of their projects.
