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Sting Reopens Bataclan Concert Hall One Year After Paris Attacks

The British singer is donating proceeds from the concert to charity.
Sting has performed at the Bataclan concert hall in Paris to reopen the venue.
Handout . / Reuters
Sting has performed at the Bataclan concert hall in Paris to reopen the venue.

Sting has reopened the Bataclan concert hall in Paris with a charity performance a year after the deadly jihadist attack that killed 90 people at the venue.

The iconic performer took the stage at the Paris venue, located at the city's 11th arrondissement, overnight and dedicated a minute's silence to those massacred by Islamic State in November last year, the BBC reports.

The British musician reportedly told the audience, including some survivors, that it was right to honour those who lost their lives and celebrate life.

"We will not forget them," Sting is quoted as telling the crowd in French, before starting his hour-long set.

According to media reports, the Bataclan put 1,000 Sting concert tickets on sale and they were sold out in "less than 30 minutes". Attendees reportedly included Paris locals and people from right around the world.

Concert-goers told the ABC they wanted to attend to prove to themselves that the terrorists had not won and that life in Paris was returning to normal.

Sting is said to be donating money from the show to charities nominated by survivors.

In attacks that shocked the world, co-ordinated assaults across Paris left 130 people dead and hundreds more injured on November 13, 2015 .

As part of commemorations a year on from the attacks President Francois Hollande is expected to visit the Bataclan to unveil plaques and small memorials.

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