A decade has passed since the night of November 13, 2015—the night when the heart of Paris was pierced by a wave of coordinated terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of 130 people. Among the bloodiest of these was the massacre at the Bataclan concert hall, where 90 concertgoers were gunned down in cold blood.
A single photograph from that night has stayed with me over the years. It was taken just minutes before the attack began—an image of joy and abandon. The crowd is ecstatic. Arms are raised. Smiles are everywhere. The atmosphere is electric with freedom, pleasure, and anticipation. The American rock band Eagles of Death Metal is on stage, and the audience, caught in the height of their performance, appears to embody everything modern Western nightlife claims to be: liberated, exuberant, carefree.
The Guardian has a very thoughtful pictorial – France commemorates victims of Paris attacks 10 years on – in pictures
Though it would appear Europe has lost its spiritual battle… This is Satanic
Please tell me this isn't real. @fancypants_s https://t.co/VT2UBCZVJw
— Patti Jo (@TheSupeHero) November 14, 2025
h/t Patti Jo
