What Menton is planning for the 80th anniversary of its Liberation from September 6

On September 7, 1944, the city of Menton was liberated by Canadian and American paratroopers from US-Canada. To remember this troubled period in history and celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the Lemon City, the city has planned several events.

A special birthday

“Menton was the last city to be liberatedexplains first deputy Patrice Novelli. The fact that it is the 80^e birthday gives an extra dimension to the event“All the more so,” adds the elected official, “as this will probably be the last time that veterans will be present.

“Last year, we wanted to pay tribute to the Alpine hunters”explains Patrice Novelli.

“This year, we want to pay tribute to the last Mentonians who lived through these moments. The event, moreover, still speaks to many descendants of Mentonians, some of whom were forced into exile in the Pyrénées-Orientales.”.

A great upheaval to which subsequent generations wish to pay tribute.

Fanfares, bells and wreath laying

Many activities are planned by the City. “They were made possible by the cooperation of all the services, which were very responsive, a sign that the event is of concern.”Patrice Novelli is keen to point out.

The first commemorative postage stamps of the Liberation of Menton will be available and a philatelic exhibition on the theme of the Liberation of Menton and the Mediterranean coast will also be held in the Council Chamber in Menton on 6 September. Among them will be the one bearing the image of Max Barel, a resistance fighter born in Menton in 1913. The plaque affixed to the façade of his home (located in the street that now bears his name, very close to the town hall), removed because it was damaged, will be put back in its place during the celebrations.

Several wreath-laying events will take place in the city the following day, September 7.”In memory of our resistance fighters”Patrice Novelli further emphasizes.

In the evening, the fanfare of the 27th^e The Alpine Hunters Battalion will give a concert, followed by a liberation dinner at the Town Hall Square, starting at 8 p.m., also followed by a ball.

Finally, a slide show retracing the major moments in the history of the Liberation of Menton will be presented on September 11 and a conference on the theme “Menton, last liberated city in the Alpes-Maritimes, September 6, 1944 – April 25, 1945″ will follow on September 14.