• On October 29, 2020, three people died in the Notre-Dame de l'Assomption basilica in Nice.

  • A year later, several tributes were made in their memory.

  • A work by artist Théo Tobiasse, The Dove of Peace, was unveiled, in the presence of the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin.

    After a recital by soprano Elizabeth Vidal at 6.15 p.m. and organ pieces, a mass was celebrated at 7 p.m.

At 8.45 a.m., the death knell rang in all the churches of Nice, one year to the day after the knife attack in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, which claimed the lives of three people: Simone Barreto Silva, Vincent Loquès and Nadine Devillers.

This Friday, these bells rang the start of a day full of emotions around the basilica, with several tribute ceremonies.

For the occasion, an important security device was deployed, barricading the religious building with barriers, leaving only one corridor for passers-by on Avenue Jean-Médecin.

At around 4:30 p.m., some remained leaning on their elbows and, when unveiling the work of artist Théo Tobiasse, La colombe de la paix, at 5 p.m., around 100 people were present.

Among them, Arlette and her husband Edgard, 69 and 79 years old.

They are not practitioners, but “they are from Nice”, so it seemed “important to them to come and support the families”.

"Everyone should be there, to show that we are united and that we do not forget", loose the Niçoise.

She remembers the events of last year, and those of July 14, releasing with emotion: "It could have been us".

They will remain until the end of mass, at 8 pm, “always standing” to “continue to be present as they can with the families”.

Moving tributes

Before the religious ceremony, several tributes were paid within the basilica, where cameras and cameras were prohibited at the request of the families of the victims, who wanted an intimate ceremony. First, the unveiling of a plaque in memory of the victims, accompanied by a song in Portuguese and French, performed by Grégory, Simone's son, who was Brazilian. "I am convinced that it is life that will win," said Father Franklin Parmentier, in a speech which opened the tribute in "this place marked by this tragedy".

Then, it was Christian Estrosi, mayor of Nice, and Gérald Darmanin, Minister of the Interior who represented the President of the Republic, who spoke in front of a full basilica, with the presence of many other political figures.

"How I would like it to be the last time", exclaimed the elected representative of Nice, evoking his doubt, but advocating a message of "peace and fraternity, values ​​of our democracy", as well as by addressing words directly to the families of the victims.

"This is my city, it hurts"

In his speech, Gérald Darmanin recalled the various terrorist events that have struck the country in recent years, targeting “the identity, culture and way of life of France” with “schools, churches, terraces, concert halls ". He reminded "all believers, whatever their religion" that "the Republic does not distinguish anyone and protects all its children". "Commemoration is remembering but it is also acting relentlessly, without naivety, without temper, but with firmness," added the government representative, thanking the work of the State services.

As the Minister of the Interior said these words, Sophia and Sarah * stopped in front of the illuminated basilica. One is an Orthodox Christian and the other a Muslim. They are also and above all "best friends". These 18-year-old women wanted to make it clear. “When you think about this event and others that were made on the pretext that it was for a religion, you can quickly cut corners and blame all the people who practice it, says Sarah, indignant. It is a shocking act that was done by a horrible person. We must make a difference and unite ”.

Sophia adds: “We forget too easily.

It's been a year, and that kind of commemoration is necessary to remember.

It's very moving to be there in front and to think about it because it's my city, and it hurts.

»Words that resonate with the organ concert which took place until 7 pm, before the mass presided over by Monsignor André Marceau.

* The first name has been changed at the request of the interviewee.

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  • Commemoration

  • Basilica

  • Nice

  • Attack