A benefit concert was held Wednesday in tribute to the victims of a fire on New Year’s Day that killed 41 people in an upscale Swiss ski resort, nearly four months on from the tragedy.<\/p>\n
The concert brought together the families of victims and some of those who survived the fire, which erupted at a bar in the Alpine town of Crans-Montana in the early hours of January 1.<\/p>\n
Most of those killed in the disaster at Le Constellation bar were teenagers, while 115 people were injured — 38 of whom are still in hospitals and rehabilitation clinics.<\/p>\n
At the Salle Metropole theatre in Lausanne, the performing artists came onto the stage to a song written about the tragedy called “Etoile de nos coeurs” (“Star of our Hearts”), and lined up holding white roses.<\/p>\n
Beforehand, the families of the victims gathered in the foyer. There were hugs, smiles and some tears.<\/p>\n
“It’s about solidarity. To all the victims, up there or here on Earth, it means one thing: we haven’t forgotten you,” Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, whose 16-year-old son Arthur was among those killed, told AFP.<\/p>\n
“We’re in survival mode. Half of our hearts have been ripped away,” she added.<\/p>\n
“It keeps alive the memory of all those who were hurt, both physically and emotionally.”<\/p>\n
Vincianne Stucky, the mother of Trystan Pidoux, who died aged 17, told AFP: “I truly don’t want the children to be forgotten; that’s my greatest fear.<\/p>\n
“I find tonight’s concert magnificent because it will help, in particular, the burns victims.”<\/p>\n
At the event, one of those badly burned was out in public for the first time since the fire.<\/p>\n
Tickets cost from 90 Swiss francs ($115), with the proceeds going towards Swisshearts — an association founded by parents affected by the disaster.<\/p>\n
– ‘Music brings people together’ –<\/p>\n
The participating artists — performing for free — included Gjon’s Tears, who finished third for Switzerland at the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest.<\/p>\n
“These were young people who just wanted to party and have fun,” the singer told AFP.<\/p>\n
“Being close in age to the majority of the victims… I think we can relate to it,” the 27-year-old said.<\/p>\n
Also on the bill was the veteran French-Italian singer Richard Cocciante.<\/p>\n
“We need to think about the people who are no longer here,” the 80-year-old told AFP, adding that music “certainly helps; I don’t know if it can heal, but it helps”.<\/p>\n
The concert was organised by events managers Olivier and Corine Uzan, who are based in Crans-Montana and were running a live event 200 metres (650 feet) away from Le Constellation on New Year’s Eve.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“We were shocked, because we knew some of the victims,” Corine Uzan told AFP.<\/p>\n
“It’s a tragedy that could have been avoided — that’s the worst part.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“What we want is to bring a little light and joy… music brings people together.”<\/p>\n
Thirteen people are under criminal investigation in connection with the disaster, including the bar’s owners and several current and former local officials.<\/p>\n
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