French newspapers torn between tributes and defiance on Charlie Hebdo anniversary
The 2015 Charlie Hebdo terrorist attacks made the front pages of all major French newspapers on Tuesday, as the country marked the tenth anniversary of the tragic events in which 17 people were killed. Torn between paying tribute to the victims and reflecting on how France has changed, all agree that the right to freedom of expression is one that society must continue to defend.
Charlie Hebdo
The French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo unveiled a special edition to mark 10 years since the attack on its offices by Islamist gunmen.
The front-page features a cartoon celebrating the atheist paper's existence with the caption "Indestructible!", while four inside pages show the results of a caricature contest to mock God and religious leaders.
"Satire has a virtue that has enabled us to get through these tragic years: optimism," said an editorial from director Riss, who survived the 7 January 2015, massacre that left 12 people, including eight editorial staff, dead.
"If you want to laugh, it means you want to live. Laughing, irony, and caricatures are manifestations of optimism. Whatever happens, dramatic or happy, the desire to laugh will never cease."
Charlie Hebdo vaunts its 'indestructibility' 10 years after massacre
Le Monde
“France, still in shock” reads the editorial, which goes on to compare the attacks in Paris and Montrouge to the 9/11 attacks in the United States in terms of how they reshaped a nation.
La Croix
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