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More than seventy world leaders gathered Sunday in France to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War. French President Emmanuel Macron hosted the leaders at the Elysee Palace in Paris, the official residence of the president.
The commemoration in Paris is the largest of several world events and began Sunday at 11 am. At that time, the armistice had been signed exactly one hundred years ago, and the "Great War" was ending. More than ten million soldiers were killed during the conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918.
Among others, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump were held under one roof in glass at the Arc de Triomphe. Prime Minister Mark Rutte and NATO CEO, Jens Stoltenberg, were also present at the ceremony in Paris
Trump and Putin arrived separately, but shook hands. For a long time, rumors ran that the two men would talk to each other at a separate meeting, but it is still unclear whether this will actually happen. Trump also repeatedly told Putin later this month.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Trump also hosted other world leaders, including Merkel and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, with whom he currently disagrees.
Buried under the Avenue des Champs-Elysees
During the ceremony, French President Macron lit a flame in tribute to the "Unknown Soldier", who is buried under the Arc de Triomphe at end of the Avenue des Champs. -Élysées. He also delivered a speech calling on world leaders to "build hope instead of fear"
"It is our job to think about the future and to think about what is essential, "continued his speech. . "The old demons reappear, ready to wreak havoc and death," said Macron, explaining how ideology and religion can be used in disregard of the facts. He also said that "patriotism was the opposite of nationalism" and that it was necessary to avoid resentment between peoples.
Students also read testimonies from soldiers of the First World War. These statements were presented in English, German and French. After the ceremony, all delegates went to lunch at Macron's official residence.
Sunday afternoon will see the Paris Peace Forum, a summit meeting at which world leaders will discuss measures to prevent a new conflict such as the First World War. Trump will not attend this forum.
President Macron met with Chancellor Merkel on Saturday in northern France, where the armistice was signed in 1918. A special commemoration was also organized there.
World leaders commemorate the end of the First World War
Important commemorations in other countries also
Besides the great commemoration of Paris, other countries are also considering the end of World War I. . There are special meetings in Australia and Malta, for example.
Major commemorations outside of Paris, for example, take place in the United Kingdom and Belgium. In London, thousands of people are gathered near Whitehall. At the national commemoration, British Prime Minister May and opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn laid wreaths
. British princes William and Harry, who both served in the British Army, were present at the commemoration.
Belgian members of the royal family were also invited to a special ceremony. King Filip and his wife, Queen Mathilde, spoke with veterans and laid wreaths in memory of the victims of the First World War
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