Frédric Michel, edited by Gauthier Delomez 7:55 p.m., March 25, 2022
In Cargèse, in the south of Corsica, nearly 2,500 people attended Friday the funeral of Yvan Colonna, a Corsican independence activist convicted of the murder of the prefect Érignac and died as a result of his attack in prison.
Europe 1 went to the village, to meet these inhabitants who mourn the nationalist.
Before the religious ceremony, the coffin of Yvan Colonna was accompanied in silence in the village of Cargèse, in the south of Corsica, by hundreds of people.
More than 2,500 people then attended the funeral of the Corsican nationalist, condemned for the assassination of the prefect Érignac and died as a result of his attack in the prison of Arles.
A ceremony in the pure Corsican tradition, with songs, prayers.
Europe 1 went there.
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The coffin covered with a Corsican flag
"These are words that I found very comforting. These are words of peace, of love. I had very close relations", affirms Michel Castellani, nationalist deputy for Corse-du-Sud, at the microphone of Europe 1. At the exit of the Latin church, the coffin of Yvan Colonna covered with a Corsican flag was carried, as on his arrival, by friends and the family of the independence activist.
Everyone stayed for long minutes on the square, singing a capella songs and the Corsican anthem, fists raised.
Traditional Corsican songs this Friday in Cargèse, during the funeral of Yvan Colonna by @E1Paca for @Europe1.
#YvanColonna pic.twitter.com/jFePgptz4a
— Melanie Faure (@_melaniefaure) March 25, 2022
"It's a whole people, there are all generations," says Bernard, an early activist.
"The music of language that is ours, it comes from eternity, it carries us. The French do not understand, they have a reading grid that sometimes saddens us", continues the activist, who adds: "I always say: 'You know what we are accused of? It is for being what you are no longer, a standing people.'
"All of Corsica is in mourning"
Moved to tears, Antoine, who came from Bastia, also wanted to be present.
"The anger is present, but today it is a respect. All of Corsica is in mourning and it is a moment that must be respected for Yvan and for his family", underlines the Bastiais.
On foot, in a long procession, the procession joined the family vault at the entrance to Cargèse.
The deacon said a last prayer, in French.
Several elected nationalists surrounded the family of Yvan Colonna.
There was the president of the Corsican executive, Gilles Simeoni, and the friend and the lawyer of the shepherd of Cargèse.