On January 4, 2023, the film “Tirailleurs” was released in cinemas. Directed by Mathieu Vadepied, this feature film worn by Omar Sy tells the story of Thierno, a 17-year-old young man from Senegal, forcibly recruited by the French army to be sent to the front during the First World War. His father, Bakary then enlists in the army also in order to try to protect his son in the trenches and to try to bring him back safe and sound to Senegal… This film which pays tribute to all the Senegalese skirmishers counts more than one million admissions at the box office and confirms Omar Sy’s status as a major actor.
The day after the release of this film, the place des Tirailleurs sénégalais was inaugurated in Paris. It is indeed this Friday, March 10, 2023 that the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo had invited some distinguished guests to discover this famous place which is located at the corner of Ney and Ornano boulevards and Belliard street in the 18th district.
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Omar Sy absent from the inauguration
This square was erected to pay tribute to the thousands of African soldiers who fought for France during the First and Second World Wars, and often conscripted by force. Attended the ceremony: the mayor of the 18th arrondissement, Eric Lejoindre but also especially Yoro Diao, one of the last skirmishers still alive and who is now 95 years old.
“To the Senegalese skirmishers. To these men, our brothers, Paris wants to express its immense gratitude. We honor their memory by inaugurating the “Senegalese Tirailleurs square” in the 18th arrondissement. Their story is also ours, let’s not forget Never !” said Anne Hidalgo on Instagram in the caption of a publication revealing photos of the square, taken during the inauguration. The Mayor of Paris took care to mention Omar Sy who paid a fine tribute to these forgotten men with the film “Tirailleurs” but who was not present at the inauguration.
ES