Floral tributes prior to being laid in front of the main memorial at Oradour
As can be seen the floral tributes which were to be laid at the foot of the main memorial in Oradour cemetery were piled up on and around the tombs of other interred people. The tributes were laid one at a time by each of the 20 or so dignitaries that had come to Oradour for this purpose, the highest ranking representative of the state being the Prime Minister, M. Francois Fillon. The area in front of the main memorial became rather overcrowded with no attempt made to limit the number of people present, this picture was taken about an hour before the ceremony began.
© Michael Williams: July 2009