French consulate to celebrate National Day on July 14

PUDUCHERRY: The French Consulate in Puducherry will celebrate Bastille Day (National Day) on July 14 in a befitting manner in the Union territory of Puducherry.

As France will be hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games from July 26 to August 11 and from August 28 to September 8 respectively, the consulate decided to hold the Bastille Day celebrations under the banner of sports and Olympic games.

The French and Indian dignitaries will lay wreaths at the War Memorials in Puducherry (8.30am) and Karaikal (9.30am) on July 14 to honour the war heroes who laid their lives in the World War.

On the same day evening, the consul general of France in Pondicherry and Chennai Lise Talbot Barré will inaugurate the women’s journey exhibition. The exhibition is a project initiated by the consul general, inspired by her own life experience, on the seaward side of the consulate building in the presence of the featured women at 6.30pm.

“The project aims to shine the spotlight on courageous, fighting Indian women who have braved the adverse circumstances of their lives to achieve their goals and realize their dreams. The exhibition, both in English and in French (online), will feature captioned portraits of 15 women with their own exceptional stories,” said a release from the consulate.

The consulate has arranged Bastille Day fireworks at 9pm on the beach opposite its building.

The consulate held a torchlight procession from the Victor Schoelcher Statue at 6pm on Saturday on Beach Road.

“This march commemorates one of the major events of the French Revolution, the storming of the Bastille (prison). This symbolic event recalls the day when the people of France joined to form a nation, overcoming the social barriers of the time to revolt against the monarchy. This year’s march will be dedicated to youth and sport and will include a relay of the Olympic flame”, said the release.

“This festive and fraternal event is open for both French and Indians associations, making this a communion between the various associations, veterans' associations, youth associations and sports associations,” said the release.


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