The war in Ukraine made itself felt right up to the July 14 celebrations in France.
France celebrated its national day on Thursday, as thousands of French soldiers marched down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, alongside allies from Eastern Europe. The traditional parade also included warplanes, military vehicles and a drone in a performance showing France’s might and its military efforts to support Ukraine.
The opening of the parade on July 14 this year was intended to demonstrate France’s commitment to NATO and to the European allies most affected by the war, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 20 weeks ago.
Troops from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary were assigned to the front position, carrying their national flags. The multinational troops deployed in Romania after the invasion marched in their wake.
Higher than usual temperatures in Paris this week did not deter crowds from gathering to watch the parade, which enjoyed tight security along the Champs-Élysées.
Young people from the French Universal National Service stood and applauded as the parade began, visibly delighted to witness the event in person. A flyover of fighter jets wowed the crowd, especially the opening formation which trailed red, white and blue smoke over the Arc de Triomphe.
On the eve of July 14, French President Emmanuel Macron hailed Ukraine’s unexpected ability to deal with Russian aggression. He called for a review of the French military organization to make it more agile in the face of changing threats, as well as an “overhaul” of the French military presence in Africa.
Mr Macron and other dignitaries presided over Thursday’s event which was attended by more than 6,000 people and 200 horses from the French Republican Guard, as well as 65 planes, 25 helicopters and 181 vehicles.
The motto for this year’s Bastille events, “Share the Flame”, refers to France hosting the Olympics in 2024. Top Olympic and Paralympic athletes have been invited to attend. The show will end with a nocturnal fireworks display launched from the Eiffel Tower.
July 14, 1789, Bastille Day, marks the capture of the Bastille prison by angry Parisian mobs that helped spark the French Revolution and, by extension, a spirit of national unity, thanks to broad rights granted to citizens in the years that followed.
Celebrations are taking place in cities across France and beyond, with parties in New Orleans, Australia and elsewhere.