Alliance Francaise Halifax, the French language and cultural centre, held Bastille Day celebrations in three stages in Atlantic Canada.
On July 12 a ceremony was held at 7 p.m. at Halifax's Discovery Centre to mark France's national holiday a few days early while celebrating the Franco-Acadian friendship.
France's National Holiday commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris on July 14, 1789. An event, that came to be seen as the symbolic beginning of the French Revolution.
Before the pandemic, Alliance Francaise celebrated Bastille Day every year. Isabelle Pedot, executive director of Alliance Francaise said she noticed a significant growth in the French society.
Isabelle Pedot, executive director of Alliance Francaise, said they celebrated the event annually prior to the pandemic. Photo by Sara Gouda.
"The community is getting bigger. There [are] many French citizens being attracted to Canada. When I first arrived, we were on our own, students on exchange programs with one of the many universities here. Nowadays, we're seeing young families with young children coming here, so it's completed different," said Pedot.
One of the guest speakers at the event was the Consul General of France in the Atlantic Provinces Johan Schitterer.
France has had a Consulate in Moncton since 1964. It is the only permanent European diplomatic representation in the Atlantic Provinces of Canada.
In Moncton and Halifax, Schitterer is in charge of establishing close contacts with the local authorities and the economic, scientific and cultural actors of his district, and plays an essential role in representing France and supporting the French services, operators and companies carrying out activities in his area of competence.
Schitterer also supervises the organization of national elections in which French citizens registered on the consular electoral list may take part.
"For our country, that's our national day. We have about half a million French citizens abroad, so every year we have the opportunity to celebrate our community and France. It's also a good day to meet all our partners and friends from different fields like business, cultures or education."
On Thursday, the Consul General and his wife, Mrs. Vera Kostenko-Schitterer, welcomed guests and the French community at Resurgo Place in Moncton, New Brunswick, for an official ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Alliance Française Halifax also organized a picnic at Hydrostone Park at noon. Alliance Francaise's traditional pétanque tournament will be back for its 10th edition on Sunday, July 17 at 2 p.m. at Sir Sandford Fleming Park.
Listen to the full interview below: