A heartfelt tribute was paid yesterday to the three victims of the October 29 attack. The ceremony took place on Castle Hill with just under 200 people in attendance, including many politicians.
Christian Estrosi and his wife Laura led the procession, followed by Renaud Muselier… and a bit further, Anthony Borré, Cédric Roussel, former president Nicolas Sarkozy in discussion with Eric Ciotti and Charles Ange Ginésy. Other political figures were present, such as the Minister of Justice, Eric Dupont-Moretti, Frédérique Vidal, Minister of Higher Education, Senate President Gérard Larcher, Senator Dominique Estrosi Sassone, as well as His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Charlène, and even the Brazilian ambassador. Representatives from various religions were present to show their unity against terrorism.
Jean Castex paid tribute to the municipal police officers by awarding them the Legion of Honor after the ceremony: “I dare not imagine what would have happened if you had not ended the assassin’s deadly path.”
The director of the National Theater of Nice, Muriel Mayette-Holtz, read a text by novelist Romain Gary titled “A Powerful and Reassuring Promise.”
Renowned cellist Gautier Capuçon performed an emotional Ave Maria with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Nice Côte d’Azur Opera, followed by a composition by Manuel Carrasco, Por Ellos.
The opera choir sang La Marseillaise, accompanied by the Nice Firefighters.
“Yes, it is indeed a war against everything we are that they have chosen to wage. As with any war declared against us, we must enter into resistance. A resistance that must first be rooted in unity.” (Christian Estrosi)
Christian Estrosi warmly thanked the President of the Republic and the Government for their swift support at the time of the attack and the organization of this ceremony.
“Terrorism has attacked the freedom of worship as it did in Saint-Etienne de Rouveray. On this freedom, the Republic does not compromise” (Jean Castex, Prime Minister)
The three victims were awarded the medal of recognition for victims of terrorism.
The portraits of Nadine Devillers, Vincent Loquès, and Simone Barreto Silva.
