Today, as the whole of France gets lit with dazzling lights to celebrate Bastille day, celebrations to mark the same day will be held at the French ambassador’s residence in Nakasero, Kampala.

A cross section of diplomats, politicians, members of the civil society and other stakeholders will converge at the invite-only annual French national day.

Also known as la fête nationale française, the day can be traced back to 1789 when an angry mob successfully captured a Parisian fort-turned-prison and released all of the inmates.

Bastille day, which falls on July 14 is widely recognized as the marker of France’s independence, and is celebrated today much like Uganda’s Independence day on October 9. On Bastille day, regardless of which day of the week it falls, offices are closed and there is merrymaking with feasting and over-the-top fireworks.

In the past, according to internet sources, it did not include discounted wines and cheeses with street dancing until nearly a century after the actual storming of the Bastille. Prior to the late 19th century, the occasion was publicly commemorated with athletic competitions in the style of the ancient Greek and Roman warriors.

French philosophers and authors felt these pageants did not sufficiently inspire national pride and called for more academic celebrations with speeches and public readings about French life post-Revolution.

Gradually, these private educational events phased into lively street fêtes, much like the parades that still happen today. By 1880, July 14 was officially declared a national holiday to keep up with the public’s jubilation.

DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF MAN

In September 1792, France became a republic. The following year, King Louis the XVI was executed. The French senate was founded in 1799 and, in 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte became the first Emperor of France.

The tide of patriotic passion that ensued after the storming of the royal fortress in Bastille, Paris led to the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen: “Men are born free and remain free and equal in rights.” Nations around the world modeled their bill of rights after this now universal sentence.

No wonder France’s national holiday, known as ‘le quatorze juillet’, is world-famous. Every year since 1880 Bastille day has been marked with parades and festivities, to the rhythm of the French national anthem, La Marseillaise. In 1790, the public event was originally called the ‘Fête de la fédération’.

Bastille day celebrations became less popular under Napoleon, and it was only in 1880 that July 14 was adopted as a national holiday and celebrated every year, except for during the two world wars.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON BASTILLE DAY IN PARIS

If there’s one event not to miss in Paris, it’s the French national holiday! This festive occasion brings people together for two days of exceptional free entertainment: a military parade, public dances at local fire stations, an outdoor classical concert and a breathtaking fireworks display.

Celebrations start with the Alpha Jets of La Patrouille de France (a division of France’s air force) in the morning. The powerful engines thunder past the capital, trailing smoke in the red, white and blue of the national flag.

A traditional military parade begins at 11am, in which some 4,000 uniformed soldiers, police officers and firefighters march down Paris’ famous Champs-Élysées. In the afternoon, Paris comes alive as the city prepares for the fire station dances commonly held in almost every neighbourhood.

These are followed by a concert on the Champs de Mars (beneath the Eiffel Tower) – 250 musicians from the National Orchestra of France and the Radio France choir serenade the sparkling Iron Lady with Mozart, Verdi, Berlioz and Wagner. Then the half-a-million spectators watch in awe as fireworks transform the skyline into a kaleidoscope of colour for 35 minutes.

Paris is not the only place that observes ‘le quatorze juillet’ – the date is marked everywhere from sprawling cities to small villages across France, whether with sport, cultural events or gastronomy. Some places hold grand communal picnics with live music or ‘bal-musettes’ (French dances accompanied by an accordion band) and fireworks.

The social charm of Bastille day is the summer weather and opportunity for family gatherings outdoors. If you could peek into one of their picnic baskets, it might contain champagne, strawberries, a baguette or two, cheeses, smoked chicken, escargot, tarts, pastries and perhaps a bowl of Bastille day fruit salad.

MONTH-LONG CELEBRATIONS

In the medieval walled city of Carcassonne, the Festival de la Cité is celebrated throughout the month of July, which includes many music and theatre performances, including Bastille day celebrations, and offers free entry to theatre, French pop, jazz and world music gigs.

Once the sun has set, the medieval old town is illuminated by one of Europe’s largest pyrotechnic displays, lasting 25 minutes and culminating in 1,200 fireworks set off in just six seconds.

UGANDA-FRANCE TIES

Following a series of activities that marked the Uganda-France Friendship Week early this year in March, there have been concerted efforts to strengthen and deepen collaboration between the two countries.

The French ambassador to Uganda, Stephanie Rivoal, has committed continued support from the French towards strengthening the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) skills capacity and fighting terrorism.

Speaking at an event aimed at deepening the links of loyalty and respect between the French Armed Forces and the UPDF early this year, Rivoal said that for many years now, France has been supporting the Ugandan army in attaining basic training, learning the French language as well as mountaineering warfare tactics.

Security aside, the two countries have over the years enjoyed a cordial relationship in various fields. This evening, as Ugandans and the French community in Uganda, among other nationals, converge at the French embassy residence to commemorate Bastille day, it should be remembered that the free and equal rights that the world enjoys today are a result of the July 14, 1789 French revolution.

pbaike@yahoo.com