French Society held a memorial for Paris attacks outside 50 George Square

Edinburgh’s French Society held a memorial for the victims of Friday’s vicious attacks in Paris this morning.

At 10.30 am, mourners gathered to honour the victims of the attacks in Paris, as well as the victims of the attacks in Beirut and Iraq.

The President  the society Giulia Pieracci and Caroline Benard made emotional speeches in French to honour the victims.

The speakers were visibly shaken and emotional with President Giulia Pieracci brought close to tears towards the end of her speech.

Giulia Pieracci making her speech

There was a rousing chorus of Le Marseillaise, the French national anthem, after the speeches finished.

A minute’s silence was then held at 11am to coincide with the minute’s silence in France that started at 12pm French time.

Mourners held various signs

In a joint statement, the French Society’s Secretary Vali Constantin and Vice President Léa Bruno said:

“We are here today to show that we stand with them, with the victims and the families of the victims and with those that were affected by what happened in Paris.”

“We’re all very depressed by the terrible events that happened in paris on Friday 13th, but not just in France, also in Lebanon and Beirut and other countries of the world.

“Yes, we were weakened, yes they attacked us, but we got back on our feet and will always get back on our feet as many times as is necessary.”

Giulia Pieracci said:”The main goal was to show our respect and support to all the victims. Of course to the french victims, but not only because, as we know, there was something in Lebanon this weekend.

“We wanted to show our support and tell them that we are here and that we stand for them too.”