"I refuse to leave my pain as a legacy": the story of Anna and Philip Morris 10 years after the Nice attack
On July 14, 2016, a terrorist attack occurred on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, claiming the lives of 86 people. Among them was 27-year-old Camille, the daughter of Anna and Philip Morris. Ten years later, her parents continue to fight - for memory, for safety, and for the right to live on. The association they founded, Memorial des Anges, became a bridge between the past and the future for many families who experienced the tragedy.
🕯 Memory as a mission: the birth of Memorial des Anges
Immediately after the tragedy, Anna and Philip Morris founded the association Memorial des Anges. Its goal is to preserve the memory of the victims and support their families. “When we act, it’s as if we become strangers to our own pain,” admits Philip.
The main areas of work of the association:
- Organization of annual memorial events
- Psychological support for affected families
- Lobbying for the safety of public spaces
“Camille should not have left life just like that. Our duty is to make sure that her death was not in vain,” says Anna Morris, president of the association.
July 14, 2026 will mark exactly 10 years since the tragedy. Preparation for the commemorative events is in full swing.
🏛 Unfinished project: Museum of the memory of terror victims
Anna Morris nurtured an ambitious plan - to create a memorial museum in Nice dedicated to all victims of terrorist acts. However, the idea was “intercepted” at the state level - President Macron announced the creation of a similar museum in Paris.
Despite the disappointment, the couple does not give up. “I will resume the project, but in a different format, taking into account the sad experience,” says Anna. For them, this is not just a museum, but a way to turn pain into something tangible and useful for society.
🚧 Battle for safety: unfinished business
One of the key issues concerning the families of the victims is the safety of the Promenade des Anglais. Over the past 10 years:
- Temporary concrete blocks have been installed
- Additional surveillance cameras have been introduced
- Police patrols have been strengthened on days of mass events
However, a permanent solution has not yet been found. “We are waiting to see if there will be a trial, if there will be accused,” says Philip. For many families, this is not just a question of safety, but also of justice.
💔 Time does not heal: how to live with loss
“Suffering changes face, but at its core remains just as destructive,” shares Anna. Over the years, she and her husband have learned to live with the pain, but it has not disappeared.
“When you face your sorrow, it is just as painful as on the first day. The passing years only expose the emptiness of unfulfilled hopes,” admits Anna.
27 years - that was Camille’s age when her life was cut short. She dreamed of becoming a mother, and this stolen future became a double loss for her parents.
🌱 Refusing the inheritance of pain: the philosophy of survival
“I refuse to leave my pain as a legacy,” says Anna. Despite everything, the couple finds strength to enjoy life - for their son, grandchildren, and the memory of Camille.
Their story is an example of how you can:
- Not get stuck in grief
- Find meaning in helping others
- Continue to fight for change
For many families who have experienced similar tragedies, Memorial des Anges has become a support and a symbol of hope.
— — — Photo: Huy Phan / Pexels