Mahe celebrates French Republic Day
The celebrations began with the hoisting of the national flags of India and France at the office.
The celebrations began with the hoisting of the national flags of India and France at the office.
The celebrations began with the hoisting of the national flags of India and France at the office.
Mahe: French citizens in Mahe celebrated French Republic Day on Monday with a series of events marking the anniversary of the fall of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789. The historic event, which followed the beheading of King Louis XVI, marked the beginning of the French Revolution and the birth of the French Republic.
The celebrations began with the hoisting of the national flags of India and France at the office of the French Citizens’ Organisation, established in 1963. This was followed by a candle-lighting ceremony and floral tributes at the statue of Joan of Arc, the legendary French revolutionary figure, inside St. Theresa’s Basilica.
Tributes continued at Tagore Park, where participants laid flowers at the statue of Marianne, the national symbol of the French Republic, followed by a remembrance march.
Senior French citizen Panangadan Balan, proudly wearing the French Seal of Honour and carrying the French flag, laid a floral wreath at the French Memorial. Organisation President Philip Karakkuzhy and former President Vattakari Usha also jointly laid wreaths in tribute.
The event was led by community leaders including Poyithaya Prameela, Rosamma Naverse, Poyithaya Kamala and Sarosh Kandoth, among others.
The organisation also felicitated students who excelled in their French High School examinations. Administrator D Mohan Kumar presented the awards during the function.
Office bearers announced that the school administration has agreed to address the shortage of French teachers, following a request from French teacher Sadanandan.