This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36407564

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
French and German leaders mark Verdun battle centenary Verdun battle centenary marked by France and Germany
(35 minutes later)
French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are marking the 100th anniversary of the battle of Verdun, the longest of World War One.French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are marking the 100th anniversary of the battle of Verdun, the longest of World War One.
Hundreds of thousands of French and German soldiers died during 10 months of fighting in north-eastern France.Hundreds of thousands of French and German soldiers died during 10 months of fighting in north-eastern France.
France eventually emerged victorious.France eventually emerged victorious.
But today Verdun is seen as a symbol of Franco-German reconciliation, and Mr Hollande and Ms Merkel are expected to renew a call for European unity. But today Verdun is seen as a symbol of Franco-German reconciliation, which was reflected by both Mr Hollande and Mrs Merkel in their speeches.
Verdun: France's sacred symbol of healingVerdun: France's sacred symbol of healing
The ceremonies started with the leaders visiting the German military cemetery at Consenvoye, just north of Verdun. Mr Hollande and Mrs Merkel stood in the rain as a band played the French and German national anthems. The ceremonies started with the leaders visiting the German military cemetery at Consenvoye, just north of Verdun, where 11,000 German soldiers are buried.
The leaders then moved on to a ceremony at Verdun, where they will lay wreaths and unveil a memorial. The leaders then moved on to a ceremony at Verdun city hall.
The main commemorative ceremony will be at Ossuary Douaumont in the afternoon, where both leaders will make speeches. In her speech there, Mrs Merkel said: "Only those who know the past can draw lessons and build a good future."
The commemoration events are mainly focusing on educating young people, and will involve some 4,000 French and German children. Remembering the famous 1984 image of former leaders Francois Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl holding hands at Verdun, she said: "We have reconciled and reached agreement; we have become friends."
Some 60 million shells were fired during the battle, and about 25% failed to explode, meaning that housing and farming in the battlefield area is still banned. Mr Hollande also reflected on Franco-German relations, saying that Mrs Merkel's presence showed that Verdun was not a symbol of suffering but one of hope.
Speaking ahead of the commemorations, Ms Merkel said: "To be invited to these commemorations shows the extent to which relations between France and Germany are good today." He finished by saying: "Long live the spirit of Verdun."
"Europe faces difficult tasks, there is no doubt about that," she said, in what was seen as a reference to the EU's continuing economic problems, its attempts to deal with a huge influx of migrants and sharp differences among individual states on the future of the 28-member bloc. The main commemorative ceremony will be at the Douaumont Ossuary in the afternoon.
But Ms Merkel stressed that "Europe has also done and achieved many things". It focus on educating young people, and involve some 4,000 French and German children in a performance choreographed by German filmmaker Volker Schloendorff.
Church bells will sound throughout the Verdun area.
Some 60 million shells were fired during the battle. About 25% failed to explode, meaning that housing and farming in the battlefield area are still banned.
The battle of Verdun, 21 February - 15 December 1916The battle of Verdun, 21 February - 15 December 1916
What caused Verdun to be the longest battle of WW1?What caused Verdun to be the longest battle of WW1?