Despite a recent tragic attack, New Orleans residents embrace the joyous traditions of Carnival, with the Joan of Arc parade serving as a symbol of hope and resilience.
Women dressed as angels, hands clasped in prayer, passed through New Orleans to celebrate the first parade of Carnival season, just blocks from where 14 people were killed five days earlier by a rampaging driver. Hundreds filled the streets Monday evening for the annual Joan of Arc parade through New Orleans ' historic French Quarter.
Organizers said they wanted the event to convey the city's spirited grit as it grapples with the violent New Year's Day attack but still persists with beloved traditions.'We are celebrating life,' said Antoinette de Alteriis, a captain of the Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc. 'We are choosing hope and we are choosing joy.'The attacker, a U.S. citizen who had proclaimed his support for the Islamic State militant group, was fatally shot in a firefight with police. The Joan of Arc Parade, which began in 2008 and falls on the French hero's birthday, marks the end of the Christmas season, arrival of Carnival and the countdown to Mardi Gras. The next eight weeks are spent feasting, drinking and revelry before Ash Wednesday and the fasting associated with Lent. Life Sacco, 17, served as Joan of Arc in the parade, donning a costume and raising a sword. The weight of the parade, which tells the story of Joan of Arc's life -- from military bravery to burning at the stake to sainthood -- is not lost upon Sacco. She said that the patron saint of France represents what the city needs: courage, endurance and the power of hope. 'It's such an emotional time right now for the city of New Orleans, you can see it on everyone's faces,' she said. 'But I feel like the first parade of the year could help lift spirits.' New Orleans has the largest and best-known Carnival celebrations in the U.S., with street parties, fancy balls and parades from simple neighbourhood-based walking clubs to elaborate high-tech extravaganzas with massive floats laden with flashing lights and giant animated figures
Carnival New Orleans Parade Tragedy Resilience
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New Orleans Celebrates First Carnival Parade After Deadly Truck AttackThe annual Joan of Arc parade marked the unofficial start of Mardi Gras season, bringing joy and hope to the city after a tragic New Year's Day attack.
Read more »
New Orleans Mourns, Celebrates Life at Truck Attack VigilNew Orleans residents gathered for a vigil on Bourbon Street to mourn the victims of a deadly truck attack that occurred on New Year's Day. The vigil transformed from sorrow to celebration as a brass band played, unifying the community in remembrance and hope.
Read more »
Driver Rams New Year's Revelers in New Orleans, Killing 10A vehicle plowed into a crowd of New Year's Day celebrants in New Orleans, resulting in 10 fatalities and 30 injuries. The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism.
Read more »
Terror Attack Kills 10 in New Orleans on New Year's DayA pickup truck plowed into a crowd of New Year's revelers in New Orleans, killing 10 and injuring 30. The driver, who was killed in a shootout with police, is being investigated by the FBI as a terrorist.
Read more »
Vehicle Ramming Kills 10 in New Orleans on New Year's Day, FBI Investigates as TerrorismA vehicle plowed into a crowd of New Year's revelers in New Orleans early on January 1st, killing 10 people and injuring 30 others. The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.
Read more »
Army Vet in ISIS Truck Rampage Kills 15 in New Orleans New Year's AttackAn Army veteran, driving a pickup truck displaying the Islamic State flag, killed 15 people and injured over 30 in a New Year's attack in New Orleans. The driver, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, rammed into revelers after circumventing a police barricade before being fatally shot by police. The FBI is investigating the incident as a terrorist act, having discovered multiple improvised explosive devices, including pipe bombs, near the scene. Surveillance footage suggests the involvement of additional individuals in placing one of the devices, but their connection to the attack remains unclear.
Read more »