On October 5th, the anniversary of the birth of Louis Delfino, a new stele in his honor was inaugurated by the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, and Alexander Orlov, ambassador of the Russian Federation in France.
A plaque dedicated to the 42 dead of the squadron was also inaugurated at the location where the missing sculpture of the bust of Louis Delfino once stood. Members of the Delfino family and Jean-François Anière, President of the Normandy-Niemen Memorial, were present.
In his speech, Christian Estrosi, speaking with his usual lyricism, recalled the child from Riquier by comparing him to the Marquis de Lafayette, hero of the American War of Independence.
Aside from the exaggeration, the participation of the Normandy-Niemen regiment in the defense of the Soviet Union should be considered a symbol of the fight against the evil force represented by the German occupant (Nazi version).
In a manner suggestive but understandable to attentive ears, Christian Estrosi took the opportunity to express his open support for the current Russian policy in the Middle East and particularly its military intervention against Daesh.
After such a declaration of political support, Ambassador Orlov showed restraint and, in diplomatic language, limited himself to mentioning the sentiments of historical friendship between Russia and France.
The commemorations do not stop there: a traveling exhibition titled “The Epic of Normandy-Niémen” was inaugurated at the Veterans’ Associations House, 36, bd Risso. It will be open for visits until October 30th. Then, successively, from November 4th to 15th and from November 29th to December 20th at the AnimaNICE Bon Voyage Center.
A series of conferences* involving, notably, French-speaking Russian speakers and screenings of films and documentaries, including “Les Dossiers de l’Ecran” from 1968 (with an interview of Louis Delfino, four months before his death) and a very beautiful documentary by Philippe Coudert, former editor-in-chief of France 3, about Normandy-Niémen, who will be present to discuss with the public, will complete the celebrations.
