The Blood of the Republic was Shed - Le sang de la République a été versé - 130 Street Photographies after the Paris Attacks {Paris Street Photo}
The Blood of the Republic was Shed - Le sang de la République a été versé - 9/130 © 2015 CHANT WAGNER
130 Street Photographies after the Paris Attacks - 130 photographies de rue, après les attentats de Paris - In Memoriam
A week or so after the Paris Attacks, the sky above Place de la République lit up at dusk time, making Marianne look like she was acknowledging, but also rising above the bloodshed of November 13, the most murderous since WWII...
Passers-by stopped to contemplate the bloody sunset on which the statue of the Republic stood out like a cut-out figure in black, seemingly sporting the color of mourning to honor the dead. A woman exclaimed "How symbolic!" and everyone agreed silently in their heads, snapping away.
In the language of emotion and hurt which developed after the Paris Attacks, an expression borrowed from the era of chivalry would pop up spontaneously stating that the Republic had been forced to put one knee on the ground - but also that the French needed to remain standing.
In life in Paris after the attacks, the statue of the Republic has become a new rallying point and its symbolism has come to be most acutely perceived.
This photo is part of a series capturing the atmosphere of Paris after 11/13 in 130 pictures, one each day for each of the 130 Paris Attack victims.
Previously:
Under Shock - Sous Le Choc - 8/130
Bullet Holes at the Laundromat - Impacts de balles au Lavratonic - 7/130
A La Bonne Bière Reopens: Shades of Emotions - Une Palette d'Emotions - 6/130
Peaceful Day at République - Jour Paisible à République - 5/130
Woman with a Tricolor Turban - La femme au turban tricolore - 2/130
