November 13: the powerful tribute from the Stade de France to the victims of the attacks

At 8:55 p.m., a wave of emotion suddenly engulfed the Stade de France. In the enclosure plunged into darkness, 300 blue, white and red luminous drones – a first during an international match – rose to music above the pitch to bring to life visual paintings representing symbols of France and rugby, such as the rooster, the oval ball, a huge heart or the tricolor flag.

At the heart of this commemoration of the attacks of November 13, 2015, augmented by a pyrotechnic device, a voice-over chants the message of unity and unity desired by the French Rugby Federation. “When everything falters, there remains what binds us. This invisible force. This desire to be together. To stand up. And to stay that way. (…) Memory brings us together. Life unites us. »

132 light performers, one for each missing person

Imagined in consultation with the victims' association "Life for Paris", this ceremony, "sober and dignified" (to use the words of Florian Grill, the president of the FFR), for six minutes, reminded the 80,000 spectators of the national tragedy experienced eleven years ago. Named “Faire Corps”, this show saw dancers appear to accompany the flight of the drones with Madonna’s gospel-style Like a Prayer. And form the Peace and love symbol on the lawn. Shivers…

At the end of this moment of contemplation, the national anthem also took on a special dimension to pay tribute to the victims, their loved ones and all those marked by the attacks of November 13, 2015. 132 luminous performers – one for each person who disappeared during this murderous madness – came down from the stands to gather behind the players of the XV of France for a Marseillaise finished a capela in a stadium as vibrant as ever.

“We come together to never forget and continue to move forward,” said the FFR. “The country needs these moments of coming together. It was a huge moment for rugby and for French sport,” said Florian Grill.