In Alès, tribute to the fighters of Algeria was paid

La maire, ses élus et le sous-préfet représentaient la nation. MIDI LIBRE – Eva Bonnet-Gonnet

Ce mardi 19 mars, les autorités locales se sont réunies au pied du fort Vauban pour rendre hommage aux combattants tombés entre 1954 et 1962.

62 years ago on this same day, a ceasefire marked the end of the long years of fighting between Algeria and France. Like every year, French Remembrance, veterans and municipal elected officials gathered at the foot of the war memorial in Square Verdun, in Alès. "This day is that of’ an entire generation", recalled Émile Soumbo, sub-prefect of Alès, echoing the figures highlighted by the Souvenir Français during their reading : "89 months of deadly fighting, two million men involved, including 30 000 dead at the age of 20".

the National Union of Combatants and Souvenir Français presided over the ceremony. FREE NOON – Eva Bonnet-Gonnet

Laying of wreaths and orchestra

To remember, wreaths were laid, in turn by the local authorities, at the foot of the monument, accompanied by a moment of contemplation. A more festive moment followed, the orchestra having played, after the traditional Marseillaise, more popular pieces, like Despacito.