This Saturday, September 23, in Place Massena, hundreds of pairs of shoes were piled up to form a pyramid in support of the daily victims of bombings. This operation has been conducted every year for 23 years by Handicap International.
It was the 20th Nice edition of the Shoe Pyramid. This event, held every year at the start of the school year, raises awareness among the public about the bombings occurring in countries like Syria and Somalia.
To do so, numerous activities were set up to attract people. Live painting by Moya Samitoon, massage workshops, a 360ยฐ video tour in virtual reality of a devastated city, ice sculpture by world champion Mario Amegee, Aikido classes, humanitarian demining demonstrations, and more, punctuated the day.
More than 120 volunteers were present to lead the various workshops from 10 AM to 8 PM. Organized by Patricia Malissart (head of the operation on the Cรดte d’Azur), the event brought together nearly 4,000 pairs of shoes. “It’s a shame we are penned in a corner of the square because of the Vigipirate plan. People just look from a distance at what is happening. We don’t have the same interaction as in other years,” she regrets.
Outside, volunteers are busy getting support petitions signed. “Across the territory, we hope to gather one million signatures. This gives us a certain weight during negotiations with government bodies,” explains Stanislas Bonnet, director of fundraising for the NGO.
Several people affected by disability were also present. Among them was Camille Audibert, a former high-level mountaineer (ex-member of the French team), who wanted to be there to share her experience. “I met Patricia at a high school after my accident and then she introduced me to the association. Everything related to disability interests me, which is why I am present at many events.”
The volunteer teams invite you to join them again next year to continue the fight.
