by Sheila-Ann Bender

Created on: June 21, 2008   Last Updated: July 01, 2008

Bring out the best champagne! Bastille Day will be celebrated in France and other countries that have a large French population on July 14th. As their tri-colored flags wave high, traditional celebrations will fill the land.

THE GRAND BASTILLE DAY PARADE IN PARIS

The grand parade opens with cadets, followed by other infantry toops, then motorized troops. Aviation of the Patrouille de France flies overhead. It has become a custom in recent years to invite units from France's allies to the parade. In 2004, British troops led the Bastille Day parade in Paris for the very first time. Red arrows flew overhead! The parade always begins in front of the President of the Republic.

FRENCH PRESIDENT'S PARTICIPATION

Until 2007, the president would give an interview to members of the press to discuss recent events and future projects. He would also give an update on the situation of the country. This was probably equivalent to the American President's annual State of the Union address.
France's current President, Nicolas Sarkozy, has opted not to do this.

On Bastille Day, the President always hosts a garden party at the Palais de l'Elysee. Foods served there? The favorite foods of France: Wine, French Champagne, fruits, cheeses, breads and truffles.

France's Constitution gives the President authority to pardon offenders (Article 17). From 1991 through 2006, the President traditionally pardoned many petty offenders on Bastille Day. President Sarkozy discontinued this practice in 2007.

OTHER CELEBRATIONS IN FRANCE

In addition to the Grand Parade, the whole of France participates in various arts festivals, music performances, raucous parties where much wine and good food are served, and-of course-fireworks displays. Unlike America, Frenchmen do not cook the bulk of their Bastille Day meals on an outdoor grill. Most of their meats are baked or broiled, and covered in rich, creamy sauces.

HOW AMERICAN CITIES CELEBRATE BASTILLE DAY

New York City has a large celebration each year on 60th Street on the upper East Side of Manhattan. Seattle has a celebration at the Seattle Center, which involves performances, picnics, wine and shopping. San Francisco has a big celebration in the downtown historic French quarter. Philadelphia's Bastille Day is held at Eastern State Penetentiary. An actor portraying Marie Antoinette, cries out, "Let them eat Tastykake!"-throwing locally-manufactured pastries at the Parisian militia. They also have a re-enactment of the storming of the Bastille. Milwaukee has a four-day celebration which includes a street festival and a 43-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower.

SOUTH AFRICA'S CELEBRATION OF BASTILLE DAY

For the past 15 years, Franschhoek has held a three-day weekend festival to commemmorate Bastille Day. They have barrell rolling competitions, mini French movie festivals, food and wine marquees, rugby and soccer game tournaments, fun runs and the Bastille Freedom Run.

Regardless of nationality, a country's birthday of freedom is cause for grandeous celebrations. It's refreshing to see how people world-wide still appreciate and celebrate the freedoms their forefathers fought so bravely for with traditions of their own.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastille_Day
htt p://www.infoplease.com/spot/99bastilleday.html
http:/ /www.franschhoek.co.za/bastille.html

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