The July 14 is a date of great importance in France, as it celebrates Bastille Day, also known as the French Independence Day. This holiday commemorates a historical milestone that marked the beginning of the French Revolution and the end of the monarchical regime. Below, we will tell you more about this celebration and its traditions.
Origin
The origin of Bastille Day dates back to July 14, 1789. After a few first months of the French Revolution, in the spring of that same year, the States General refused to dissolve, transforming themselves into the National Constituent Assembly. In the month of July, King Louis XVI will call for more troops and dismiss Necker, a popular minister. It will be then that Parisians rose up in protest against the oppressive power of the monarchy and the lack of rights of the people. That day, the crowd marched toward the Bastille, a royal fortress and state prison in Paris that symbolized monarchical despotism. After intense fighting and a bloody shootout, the Bastille (Bastille Saint-Antoine) was taken, freeing the prisoners and becoming a symbol of the people's victory over tyranny and the Old Regime. In the following months, the structure of the building would be completely demolished. These events determined the march on the Palace of Versailles, causing the family of Louis XVI and the queen consort Marie Antoinette to become the royal family of a constitutional monarchy regime. This system would be present until 1792, when the republic would be established, a revolutionary regime that would go to war with many European royalty and lead to the radicalization of the country, with multiple executions of religious personnel, nobles and dissidents. /p>
On the other hand, on July 14, 1790, the Fête de la Fédération< also began to be celebrated. /em>, symbol of the union of the French population and commemoration of the first anniversary of the uprising, with a huge mass being celebrated at the altar of the country in the Champ de Mars, Paris. However, in later years it would stop being commemorated until the high command of the Third Republic, especially Gambetta and Benjamin Raspail, approved the law of July 6, 1880, making July 14 the strong>National Holiday of the Republic. Since then, July 14 has become a day of national celebration in France.
Celebrations
July 14 continues to be a great event in France, as well as a national holiday, prepared with great care and dedication. The celebrations begin on the night of July 13, with the traditional torchlight parade. The holiday is marked by military parades, cultural events, fireworks and parties throughout the country. One of the highlights is the famous military parade on the Champs Elysées in Paris, where the French armed forces display their might and pay tribute to those who have served the country. It starts at the Arc de Triomphe and heads to the Place de la Concorde. The parade is always presided over by the president of the republic, while a multitude of French Air Force planes fly through the country's skies. Also noteworthy is the night show with fireworks launched from the Eiffel Tower, illuminating the night sky with vibrant colors that can be seen from places such as the Champ de Mars or the Place du Trocadero. Before them, a free classical music concert takes place in the same location. It begins around 9 pm and lasts until the beginning of the fireworks show. Year after year, great international artists and the French national orchestra take to the stage, performing an extensive repertoire of classic hits.
In addition to the parade and fireworks artificial, the French celebrate Bastille Day with numerous events and activities. All over France, popular open-air dances are organized, where people gather to enjoy music, dance and traditional food. There are several main types of dance, three standing out especially. The first of them would be the so-called traditional group or fanfare, or also banda in the south of the country. We can also find the musette dance, disused between 1970 and 2010, and, finally, the dances organized by itinerant musicians specialized in popular festivals. The famous firefighter dances were born in 1937, when the Fire Brigade of the French town of Montmartre opened the doors of its barracks to a small group of curious citizens. Before them, multiple gymnastic and sparkler demonstrations would take place, beginning to popularize this celebration and expanding to other barracks in the country. From those moments on July 13 and 14, the national fire stations open their doors and it is impossible to imagine the festival without them.
Bastille Day is not only an occasion to celebrate independence and freedom, but also serves as a reminder of republican and democratic values. It is a time to reflect on the importance of equality, fraternity and solidarity in today's society.
In addition, many French They take advantage of this day to enjoy a well-deserved rest and spend time with friends and family. It is common for streets and parks to be filled with people gathering to have picnics, organize outdoor games and simply relax in the summer sun.
By All of this, we can see how July 14 is a holiday in France that celebrates independence and the fight of the French people for freedom. From the iconic military parade in Paris to popular dances and fireworks displays across the country, this date is filled with exciting events and joy. Beyond the festivities, Bastille Day is a reminder of the fundamental values of democracy and equality that are fundamental to French identity.