Sting Performs At Le Bataclan Concert Hall For One Year Anniversary Of Paris Attacks

Hillary Luehring-JonesNovember 14, 2016, 10:15 pmNews, News Feed >

November 13 marked the one year anniversary of the horrible Paris Attacks at the Bataclan theater in Paris.

STING PERFORMS CONCERT AT REFURBISHED BATACLAN

Six coordinated attacks left 130 dead in the city. The last attack occurred at the famed Bataclan concert hall, where 90 people were killed during a show. On Saturday, rocker Sting was the first to perform at the hall since the tragic events last year. “We will not forget them,” the singer told the crowd in French. “Tonight we have two tasks to achieve: first to remember those who lost their lives in the attack, and then to celebrate life and music in this historic place.

Sting began the concert with his emotional song “Fragile,” during which many in the audience wept, before turning to the more upbeat “Message in a Bottle.”

Many survivors of the attacks attended the concert, including Aurelien. “It’s the first time I’ve been in a public space for a year,” said the 30-something man. “I haven’t been to the cinema, to a concert, I get my shopping delivered — I’ve always stayed at mine. Tonight I’m taking my life back like it was before. It’s a duty, there’s an obligation to be here — because there are 90 people who can’t come anymore.”

Throughout Paris, other memorial moments occurred for the anniversary of the attacks. People gathered to send hundreds of red, white, and blue lanterns down Paris’s Canal Saint-Martin as crowds took place in a moment of silence for those who lost their lives. A special Mass was also held at Notre Dame Cathedral in memorandum.

In re-opening the Bataclan, we have two important tasks to reconcile. First, to remember and honour those who lost their lives in the attack a year ago, and second to celebrate the life and the music that this historic theatre represents. In doing so we hope to respect the memory as well as the life affirming spirit of those who fell. We shall not forget them.

A photo posted by Sting (@theofficialsting) on Nov 12, 2016 at 12:25pm PST