13th of November 2015 : 130 people lost their lives in the Paris terror attacks. 351 people injured
No words…
Heavy-hearted, anger and determination to express, live and say again my commitment to freedom and secularism, and my love for Paris
Here are some videos, images, pics as tributes to the victims, to Paris and to France
(the first illustration “Peace for Paris” has been designed by Jean Jullien, a French artist who lives in London)
Paris Coat of Arms : “Fluctuat nec mergitur” (= “She tossed upon the waves but does not sink”. In French : “Elle est battue par les flots mais ne sombre pas”. )
The official emblem of Paris is a Latin sentence and shows a white boat floating on rough waters, topped with gold fleurs-de-lys. It dates back to 1358.
An emblem all over Paris : on the Paris town Halls, the schools, the City Police offices… More than 100 buildings throughout the city.
After the attacks of the 13th of November, this emblem became very popular and was used in social media as a symbol of Paris courage against terrorism.
Andrew Neil – BBC, the week following the attacks – delivered a message to those who attacked Paris, and those who support them – Wonderful
Support from all around the world
My FB friends : I appreciate so much your many Facebook posts sending your support.
Plus : Thanks to Michelle Moggio, Jacqueline Hugues and Candy Witt for their beautiful articles about Paris written after the attacks (see the links at the end of this post)
Danielle (a French lady interviewed in Paris) : This short video below has been widely shared across France.
Known simply as “Danielle,” her comments while placing flowers at a memorial for victims have resonated across France. Translation below the video
Translation : “It’s very important to bring flowers for our dead,” It’s also important to read Ernest Hemingway’s “A moveable feast”, “Paris est une fête,” (the French title of “A Moveable Feast”) because we are a very old civilization and we will uphold our values at the highest level.”. “We will fraternize with five million Muslims who practice their religion freely and kindly and we will fight the 10,000 barbarians who kill, supposedly in the name of Allah”.
A moveable feast : Following the deadly attacks, Ernest Hemingway’s memoir about life in Paris has become a Bestseller in France.
It’s an ode to Paris, a love letter to the city, its cafes , a timeless evocation of the City of Lights. Paris was a source of inspiration (and still is ?!) for many writers and artists in general and a salve for their psychic wounds.
Yes, Paris bookshops are running out of copies (even on Amazon’s French site). Publishers have ordered it to be reprinted.
The book has been left at memorial sites, as a symbol of defiance, between flowers and candles, in front of the cafes, bars and restaurants where the attacks took place. It can also be seen in front of the Bataclan concert hall.
“There is never any ending to Paris and the memory of each person who has lived in it differs from that of any other. We always returned to it no matter who we were or how it was changed or with what difficulties, or ease, it could be reached. Paris was always worth it and you received return for whatever you brought to it.”
“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.’’
—Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast
A comment in the New York Times : published as a comment on an article. Signed by the reader “Blackpoodles”
John Lennon’s Imagine : On Saturday 14th, the day after the attacks, a German pianist dragged a piano around Paris and played John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ outside Paris’ Bataclan theater where many were killed in terrorist attacks.
Celine Dion Tribute to France
A sea of shoes : Banners which read “Paris marches for climate change” are displayed in front of pairs of shoes.
The march was banned due to security fears after the terrorist attacks.
The shoes symbolise the people (Climate change protesters) who had hoped to take part in the gathering.
They have found a moving way to get round the city’s ban by laying pairs of shoes at “Place de la République”.
Several social media commentators have noted that the majority of the shoes are facing towards the Bataclan theatre- where 89 people were murdered by ISIS affiliated terrorists on November 13.
And 3 beautiful articles written by my FB friends. (I have already posted these articles on my FB timeline, but didn’t manage to insert them in my Blog article…). Here are the links :
PARIS IS FOREVER – Written by Michelle Moggio. Blog : “The Paris effect” http://www.thepariseffect.net/blog/paris-is-forever
THE JOY OF LIVING – Written by Jacqueline Hughes. Blog : “The traveling keyboard” http://thetravelingkeyboard.blogspot.fr/2015/11/the-joy-of-living.html?spref=fb
FLUCTUAT NEC MERGITUR – Written by Candy Witt. Blog : “Just around the next bend” http://candysnextbend.blogspot.fr/2015/11/fluctuat-nec-mergitur.html?spref=fb
