At the end of the vast Boulevard Garibaldi in Paris, in the 15th arrondissement, there is a small shaded square housing a beautiful statue of General Garibaldi, erected in 1907 through a public subscription to which many people from Nice contributed.
This Tuesday, July 4th, saw the republican representation gather to celebrate, for the first time in Paris, the birthday of the hero of two worlds: Mr. Philippe Goujon, Senator of Paris; Mr. René Galy-Dejean, Deputy-Mayor of the 15th arrondissement; Mr. Rudy Salles, Deputy of Alpes-Maritimes; Mr. Jean-Pierre Mangiapan, Regional Councilor of PACA, General Councilor of Alpes-Maritimes, and President of the Garibaldi Bicentenary Committee; Mr. Cédric Cirasa, Municipal Councilor and representative of the Mayor of Nice.
However, other participants at this event were also notable. The main members of the Bicentenary Committee from Nice, the group “Nissa la Bella” and the “Ciamada Nissarda,” all in Nice attire, members of the Mesclun, the association of Nissarts in Paris, the flag bearers of Garibaldi leagues in red shirts, and especially the descendants of the general, from Rome and Bordeaux, his great-granddaughters Anita Garibaldi and her son, and Anita Garibaldi-Jallet.
In a beautiful speech, Mr. Galy-Dejean reflected on the romantic hero, especially the General who came to defend France when Paris was under the threat of Prussian armies, achieving the only victory of the 1870 war, the Battle of Dijon. He emphasized the role that this hero, an ardent defender of democracy, had played for our country.
Jean-Pierre Mangiapan then discussed the hero’s journey. He recalled that Garibaldi, born in Nice, was French by birth, and though a pillar of the independence of Italy, he and his descendants always came to our country’s aid whenever danger loomed. For this reason, he was elected four times as a French deputy, from Nice, Paris, Dijon, and Algiers.
A bronze medallion on the base of the statue commemorates two of his children, Bruno and Costante, who died for France during the Great War. Furthermore, on July 4, 1946, his grandson, Santé, died following his deportation to the Dachau camp for acts of resistance.
Jean-Pierre Mangiapan then spoke about the pioneering role of Joseph Garibaldi concerning the construct of Europe.
After the Niçois from Paris laid a wreath at the foot of the monument, Mr. Galy-Dejean and Jean-Pierre Mangiapan placed a cushion of red “Garibaldi” carnations made that morning in Nice. At that moment, Jean-Pierre Mangiapan took the hand of a little gentleman present at the event, one of the most famous Niçois globally, Francis Lay, the film music composer (who could forget “A Man and a Woman”?). Mr. Galy-Dejean called for a minute of silence, followed by a trumpet rendition of “La Marseillaise,” and the attendees then sang “Nissa la Bella.”
The emotion reached its peak, tears in the eyes of the audience, but the friendly apéritif offered by the Town Hall of the 15th and the dances of our folk groups recreated a corner of blue sky and freshness in the stifling heat of this Parisian summer.
Christian Gallo
Photos: Zulaan
©Le Ficanas®
