Édouard Philippe, Prime Minister, was present yesterday in Nice, alongside François Molins, Public Prosecutor of Paris, and Nicole Beloubet, Minister of Justice.
Last year, it was the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, who came to Nice to commemorate the tragic event that occurred on July 14, 2016.
This year, it was the Prime Minister who was present for commemorations under the theme of remembrance.
At 11 a.m., at Villa Masséna, the names of the 86 victims were read, a candle for each angel, and a delicate harp rendition of Pachelbel’s Canon was performed. White roses were then laid at the Memorial. Solemn faces, tears, but the laughter of children.
Following this, the Prime Minister was able to meet the families of the victims, with whom he could talk about the ongoing judicial process and the support for the families of victims.
He then joined Masséna Square, alongside Christian Estrosi, François Molins, Nicole Beloubet, and Elizabeth Pelsez, Interministerial Delegate to Victim Support, for a municipal tribute ceremony preceding the traditional military parade.
Under a tricolored marquee, they were able, along with officers, elected officials, family members of the victims, and a large audience, to listen to the Philharmonic Choir of the Opera perform “Nissa la Bella,” before the Prime Minister gave a speech filled with emotion. “We must live with this tragedy, which means not letting it fade away,” he declared. “The innocent crowd, among whom anyone of us could have been (…), the harm that was done to us, we have transformed it into energy, courage, hope,” he concluded.
The evening concluded with a concert by the Philharmonic Orchestra, a balloon release, and the lighting of 86 beams of light.
