A year after the bloody attack that plunged into Strasbourg's famous Christmas market on December 11, 2018, Christophe Castaner posted his "serenity" Friday, strolling down the aisles on the opening day, while tourists began admire decorations and illuminations.
"The message we want to pass is that of serenity and the feeling that our forces will be fully engaged with the elected officials so that the international event that is the Christmas market is going well," said the Minister of Finance. Interior. Although there is "no particular concern for Strasbourg," the "terrorist risk is permanent in France and remains at a high level," said Christophe Castaner.
Tasting of mulled wine and selfies
Then he resumed this stroll of more than one hour among the 300 chalets of the market, enjoying a mulled wine and lending a good grace to the game of selfies, but also thanking the many members of the police met for their " reassuring presence and commitment ". Among them, anti-terrorist intervention sections or Operation Sentinel soldiers. According to the minister, "nearly 760 people, men, women, police, gendarmerie, civil security, firefighters, municipal police, the army will be mobilized to ensure" the security of the Christmas market until December 30th.
At 7:10 pm, the huge Christmas tree on the Place Kleber, in the historic heart of the city, was illuminated by the cheers of the crowd, but by 2 pm, the streets of the "Christmas capital" were animated with the opening of this market, the most famous of France. "It is good ?" asks a salesgirl in his cottage to Fabienne and his daughter Solène, from Nice, who enjoy the opening of the cottages their first glass of hot apple juice in the tourist area of Petite France. "It's really nice and more in different neighborhoods, it's very nice," rejoices Fabienne, delighted with the good-natured atmosphere.
"The attack, we think about it but it does not stop us"
This market "is the wonder of young and old and even old people", summarizes Christiane while his companion Dany takes a picture of the fir tree on the Place Kléber. "The attack, we think about it but it does not stop us, we must go out anyway, stand together, do not externalize the fear, otherwise they will have won," said the strapless strapless.