They paid tribute to the artist Ben, one year after his death, in front of the statue of Garibaldi in Nice.

The Republica de Nissa association chose June 17, the Occitan national holiday, to organize this ceremony on Place Garibaldi. "Ben was an Occitan activist. It was symbolic to organize this gathering today [this Tuesday, June 17, editor's note], " explains Cristoù d'Aurore, president of the association and fervent defender of Nissarte culture. As a reminder, Ben Vautier, a cartoonist from Nice, committed suicide on June 5, 2024 , the day after the death of his wife Annie, following a stroke.

"Ben was an exceptional person"

This Tuesday, the few participants from Nice and Occitan observed a minute of silence at 6 p.m. in his memory before singing the Occitan anthem (Se canto), the Nice anthem (Nissa la Bella), and Bella Ciao (a song dear to Annie Vautier's heart). "Ben's daughter, Eva, should have been there. But she was at her father's house in Saint-Pancrace. She's the one who supports him," explains Cristoù d'Aurore.

In front of the fountain and the statue of Garibaldi, France was proud to be there. "Ben was an exceptional person, like his wife. As a true Niçoise and resident of Place Garibaldi, I had to be there," she explains.