a work by Joann Sfar installed in Nice for the commemorations with the message “we will live”

TRIBUTE – Two Hebrew letters for a strong symbol, cut out of the metal. The new work by designer Joann Sfar was inaugurated in Nice this Monday, October 7, during the commemorations of the Hamas attack on Israel. The sculpture This means: we will live! was installed in the park of the Colline du Château.

To the sound of a cover ofImagine by John Lennon on the violin, a song symbolizing peace, the stele was unveiled and signed by the Nice artist and Christian Estrosi, mayor of Nice. The Hebrew characters cut out in the work form the symbol Hai, which means « vivre ». The sculpture uses the watercolor drawn by Joann Sfar the day after the deadly attacks of October 7, 2023.

The drawing, and its hopeful legend “it means “we will live””had been shared en masse on Instagram. A year later, this symbol is now inscribed large on the heights of Nice, as seen in the video at the top of the article.

A Haï symbol of “living together”

“This work will not only be a place of contemplation, it will also be a reminder that October 7 will never again be a date like any other”declared Christian Estrosi during the inauguration.

Joann Sfar, originally from Nice, said “upset” to be on Castle Hill again, where his “political journey has begun”. In his speech, the designer and philosopher wanted to recall the meaning of this Haï “ which means life, which is a lucky charm ». “Among Jews and Israelis, we do not wish for victory, we do not wish for revenge, we do not wish harm to the opposing party, we just wish that everyone lives”he said.

At the end of the ceremony, in the rain, participants lit candles at the foot of the stele made of metal silhouettes, representing children, elderly people or even a couple. An image of “living together” which Joann Sfarr said she would like to return to France, in the face of the increase in anti-Semitic acts.

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