Fête Nationale
~Blog Post #2~
April 12, 2015
By: Jack Nelson
There are
many holidays celebrated in France, such New Year’s Day, Labor Day, and All
Saints Day, along with all of the Christian holidays. However the holiday I will
be focusing on is Fête Nationale or Bastille Day. This is the celebration I chose
because it is comparable to The Fourth of July, which happens to be my favorite
holiday. Fête Nationale is celebrated on July 14th of every year and
it memorializes the start of a political revolution. This revolution was to
replace the absolute monarchy with a constitutional government. Fête Nationale
is celebrated all over France with military parades, firework shows, and of
course the feast. The military parade is the time to show your patriotic spirit
by waving your French flag. The parade has been going on since the first
Bastille Day unlike the firework show. The firework show is a more modern twist
on the festivities and still isn’t done in all parts of France. The feast has
been around since day one as well. This is comparable to a Fourth of July
Picnic, you get together with your closest family and friends and enjoy a nice
meal outside and relax the rest of the day. The feast is a lighter meal
compared to the other French holidays. Since it is in the middle of the summer
the starters will be served cold, such as a quiche or a salad. Also the main
course will be prepared with minimal amounts of butter and creams, and more
fresh, uncooked fruits and vegetables will be incorporated into the feast. Then
this will be followed up by a delicious desert and a relaxing afternoon at
home.
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| Bastille Day Outdoor Feast |
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| Bastille Day Fireworks |
Sources: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/vive-la-france-la-fete-nationale-bastille-day.html http://french.lovetoknow.com/Bastille_Day_Traditions
I have always wanted to be in France during Bastille Day! Whenever I am there I miss it by a couple weeks. Your pictures once again prove to me how beautiful the city of Paris is during Bastille Day. It is interesting to me how similar the Americans and French have it in history when it comes to their revolutions. The French Revolution was to get rid of a King as was the American, they both installed the same forms of government and both had there independence within in ten days of each other in July. Funny how the French and the Americans disagree on some many things now considering their shared history.
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