French President Francois Hollande (2R) and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo (hidden) lay a wreath of flowers as they unveil a commemorative plaque next to the Cafe Bonne Biere and the Rue de la Fontaine au Roi street in Paris on November 13, 2016, during a ceremony to mark the first anniversary of the Paris terror attacks. Photo: AFP
French President Francois Hollande on Sunday began commemorations for the first anniversary of the Paris attacks by unveiling a plaque in memory of a man killed by suicide bombers at the Stade de France.
Manuel Dias, 63, died outside the national stadium where France were playing Germany in a football match during the first attack of a series on the evening of November 13, 2015, that killed 130 people.
Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo went on to unveil plaques at bars and restaurants in the trendy neighbourhood where gunmen from the Islamic State group sprayed bullets at revellers enjoying a Friday evening out.
The final ceremony was to take place at the Bataclan, the concert hall where 90 people were killed by three attackers during a rock gig in the culmination of the carnage.
Rock superstar Sting reopened the refurbished Bataclan with a hugely symbolic show on Saturday.
“We will not forget them,” the British singer told the crowd in French after a minute’s silence for the victims.
“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,” he said.
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