Produced by Guest blogger
Melissa Le Febvre (France)
I am Melissa Le Febvre from France studying MA 3D Computer Animation here at BU. I would like to share some information with all about one the most important national celebrations in France: the Bastille Day!
What is it?
Bastille Day is the French National Day, celebrated on the 14th of July each year. In France, we called it “la Fête nationale” (The national celebration) and also know it as “le 14 Juillet” (the 14th of July). It is one of the inaugural and emblematic events of the French Revolution and is considered as the first major intervention of the Parisian people during the Revolution and in French political life.
The French National Day is the anniversary of Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, a turning point of the French Revolution, as well as the Fête de la Fédération which celebrated the unity of the French people on 14 July 1790. On the Champs-Élysées in Paris, for the most important parade, all the armed forces are represented and each troop parade one after another under the watchful eye of the President of the Republic who opens the parade with his Ministers. Military planes fly over the parade course.
How do the French celebrate?
Bastille Day celebration
In almost all the communes of France, festivities are organized to celebrate July 14th and in the big cities, the day of July 14 begins with a military parade. In the evening, you can participate in the famous Firefighters’ Ball. Fireworks are fired in towns or villages and a big one in Paris.
On the 14 of July, French people often watch the parade on television in the morning, and then they have lunch with friends or family. It could be a barbecue or a picnic by the water or in a park. And of course if you want to celebrate by eating out in a restaurant, it is better to book in advance to avoid disappointment!
In the evening, many people watch the fireworks and will then dance at the “popular ball” which is very often organized by the villages. The French like to dance! Villages also sometimes organize bowling competitions and games for children.
Celebrating Bastille Day in Bournemouth
In Bournemouth I will join a local band “Musique à Trois” in the theatre’s spacious Mulberry Room for a Bastille Day celebration. It will be Classic French jazz-flavoured chansons with the option of having a freshly prepared French food platter. I can’t wait for it!
By Melissa Le Febvre, France, MA 3D Computer Animation, 2017/18
