This Thursday, the city of Nice celebrated Giuseppe Garibaldi. Born in Nice on July 4, 1807, Garibaldi is an iconic figure not only for the city but also for the history of freedom and Italian unification.
Garibaldi was born at a time when Nice was part of the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia before being annexed to France in 1860. A staunch defender of freedom, Garibaldi became a symbol of Niçoise identity and an international hero. His face adorns Garibaldi Square in Nice, reminding us of his legacy and significant contributions.
The mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, emphasized Garibaldi’s importance in his speech. Estrosi, the first mayor of Nice born Italian due to the reforms and ideals championed by Garibaldi, stressed the importance of learning from history to address challenges and nurture great hopes for the future.
During the ceremony, two wreaths were laid in tribute to Garibaldi. Then, the children of Giuseppe Garibaldi School movingly performed the Italian and French anthems, as well as “Nissa la Bella,” the anthem of Nice.
