Cultural figures call for display of ‘noise and light’ in Paris a week after attacks

French artists and cultural figures called for people to mark a week since the start of the Paris attacks with an outpouring of “noise and light” last night.

The call went out on social media under the Twitter hashtag #21h20 — or 9.20pm, the time the attacks began last Friday, November 13.

A letter in the Huffington Post was signed by dozens of artists, writers, musicians, and other cultural figures, including singer Charles Aznavour, journalist Anne Sinclair, and former French culture minister Jack Lang.

It says the attack on “culture and freedom” should unite people of all races, faiths, and backgrounds.

"One love." 🇫🇷 #21h20 pic.twitter.com/gQ2pNJ5uWD

— Molly Hunter (@mollymhunter) November 20, 2015

The letter called for people to turn on lights, light candles, and play music so the attackers “will understand that they have lost”.

The writers hope the gesture will show “that culture will continue to shine out and to burnish the light of hope and fraternity”.

Most demonstrations have been banned in Paris since the attacks, but Parisians have been gathering outside the restaurants, cafes, and concert hall hit in the attacks all week to leave flowers, light candles, and hold vigils.

A planned demonstration at France’s oldest mosque, to show inter-community solidarity, was cancelled over security concerns. President François Hollande will preside at a national ceremony on November 27.