Paris remembers it clearly. This Wednesday, November 12, at dusk, the three symbolic monuments of the capital — the Eiffel Tower, the Hôtel de Ville and the Statue of the Republic — were decorated with the colors of the French flag. Symbolic tributes to the 130 victims of the November 13 attacks will again take place on Thursday 13, the national day of remembrance.
“10 years later, Paris and the entire nation pay tribute this week to the victims of November 13, 2015, to their families and loved ones,” Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced Monday on Instagram. “In their memory, the Eiffel Tower will be lit up in blue, white and red on Wednesday 12 November and Thursday 13 November as night falls. Paris remembers. We will never forget it. »
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Early risers may have already felt this radiant reverence. On November 6, at around 5 am, the Iron Lady was lit in the colors of the tricolor flag, probably for technical tests. In recent days, strange colored rays of light rising into the sky in a circle have also intrigued Parisians. This is a rehearsal for a memorial service planned for Thursday evening at the memorial park.
An iconic monument of the capital, the Eiffel Tower is often used to mark tragic or celebratory events. He died on the night of the November 13, 2015 attack.
Day of contemplation
These highlights accompany the all-day tribute this Thursday, broadcast live on TF1, France 2 and France Inter as well as on the giant screen at the Place de la République. Starting at 11:30, Emmanuel Macron, Anne Hidalgo and the victims’ association will gather at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
The ceremony will continue in front of the memorial plaques of Petit Cambodge and Carillon (12:30), La Bonne Bière (13:00), Comptoir Voltaire (13:30), La Belle Équipe (13:50) and Bataclan (14:30). At each location attacked ten years ago, the names of the victims will be read, followed by a minute’s silence.
The peak will occur at 6 pm. in the November 13 memorial park, Place Saint-Gervais (4), which will be officially inaugurated. 1,500 members of the association and victims’ officials, including the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, will attend the ceremony from the stands on the rue de Lobau.
At the center of the scene: the Tree of Light. The park’s elm tree, a symbol of republican justice, will be transformed with a video projection system. At its foot, a revisited electronic organ will accompany the Radio France Choir and Choir 13, consisting of 44 survivors. In this tribute that still holds many surprises, Philippe Duperron (president of the 13onze15 association), Arthur Denouveaux (president of the Life for Paris association) and Anne Hidalgo will speak.
