Nice is fully participating in the national commemoration of the centenary of the First World War, particularly through the programming, between 2014 and 2018, of several cultural events (exhibitions, publications, screenings, concerts, readings, heritage tours, symposiums, etc.).
According to Christian Estrosi: “A pivotal date in French history, 1914 takes on a particular meaning for our city because this war was the moment when, after the legal act of 1860, the union of Nice with France was deeply and affectively sealed by the bloodshed.”
An ad hoc Committee has been set up, chaired by municipal councilor Franรงois Rabut, who was appointed to lead this mission.
Additionally, a Scientific Committee was formed to establish a historical and cultural program. It consists of professors from the University of Nice, including Barbara Meazzi, Humeau, Malaussena, Ortolani, Predal, Schor, and Pellegrinetti.
The Government established a project to extend the commemoration over the period from 2014 to 2020, and Nice will follow a five-year program.
In chronological sense, 2014 is essential with the outbreak of the war and the Battle of Dieuze which gave birth to the legend of the 15th Corps.
Then in 2015, the Armenian genocide and Italy’s entry into the war, as well as the Battle of Flirey, will be highlighted.
The year 2016 will be dedicated to the Battle of Verdun, while 2017 will recall the entry of the Americans into the war, the October Revolution in Russia, and the resultant consequences.
Finally, 2018 will be the year of celebrating Peace.
These commemorations will take various forms, including patriotic ceremonies, event operations, exhibitions, conferences, film cycles, and more.
Moreover, five other projects have received the label of the National Mission: they are the Digital War Memorial accessible via a terminal at Ruba Capeu; the exhibition “Nice 1914” at the municipal archives; the exhibition “Italians and Niรงois in the war” (in 2015), a specific program by the Cinรฉmathรจque, and the collection of testimonials on this theme in the form of filmed documents.
