On July 14, 2016, a maniacal truck plowed into the crowd on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, resulting in 86 victims and hundreds of injuries. A year later, the people of Nice nevertheless came out in large numbers on the promenade. It was a duty of remembrance, but also for some, an occasion to say a final “goodbye” to their deceased loved ones.
The silence is heavy, almost total. Only the sound of waves crashing onto the shore breaks it.
Nice, in this early morning, is almost frozen as if paralyzed, stunned.
The looks are blank, dazed. No one has forgotten what happened a year ago.
Some carry roses in their hands, others do not. Janine, who is distributing them, explains that she “wanted with some other colleagues to also pay a heartfelt tribute to those angels. The project has been in place for almost six months. It comes from an idea of a friend. She wished for this day to be forever etched in memory and as extensive as possible. Hence, the white roses. For her, white is also the color of freedom. A message of peace and love to these angels gone too soon.”
Inside the participatory tribute, the families of the victims gather in the presence of Christian Estrosi.
When they finally leave, it’s the turn of the people of Nice to enter the sanctuary.
Tears flow, plaques engraved with hearts of the OGCN are placed. 12,000 will be installed throughout the day.
The last three will be laid at 7:30 PM by three children who lost their parents in the very sad tragedy.
The message of the 12,000 hearts is to be revealed by a drone at 8 PM in the presence of the President of the Republic, as well as the families of the victims.
However, at 7:40 PM the message appears “liberty I will write your name.” A message of hope, a message for life to slowly resume in Nice.
A city hit at its heart as President Emmanuel Macron said.
A city that will not see fireworks brighten its bay tonight. Yet, 86 lanterns will light up the sky. 86, like the number of stars that will shine above the city.
