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France celebrates Bastille Day in iconic style
The French Embassy celebrated the country’s 222nd anniversary, famously known as Bastille Day, on Thursday in iconic French style
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T
he French Embassy celebrated the country’s 222nd anniversary, famously known as Bastille Day, on Thursday in iconic French style.
France’s tricolor flag — blue, white and red — draped the walls and ceilings of the Hotel Borobudur ballroom where the celebration took place. In the center of the room, stood a replica of the Arc de Triomphe, perhaps Paris’ second best-known landmark after the Eiffel Tower, emphasized the ambiance.
Two screens flanking the podium showed live the military parade led by French President Nicolas Sarkozy along the Champs-Elysees.
To the Bastille!: French Ambassador to Indonesia Philippe Zeller (right) cuts a cake while Communications and Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring (left) and National Education Minister Muhammad Nuh (second left) cheer at an event for Bastille Day, marking France's National Day, in Jakarta on Thursday. JP/Ricky Yudhistira
A stirring rendition of France’s national anthem, “La Marseillaise”, marked the opening of the celebration in Jakarta, followed by “Indonesia Raya”.
French Ambassador to Indonesia Philippe Zeller said that this year had been a great year for Indonesia and for France.
Delivering a speech in English, Indonesian and French, Zeller said Indonesia had welcomed former French finance minister Christine Lagarde, now IMF chief, in February. Two weeks ago, Indonesia also welcomed French Prime Minister Francois Fillon.
“His coming to Indonesia and the agreements signed by the two countries were a great departure for our ties in the future,” he said.
Indonesian Foreign Ministry’s director general for Europe and the United States, Retno L.P. Marsudi, said that Indonesia and France marked their 60th year of bilateral relations in 2011.
“We just launched a strategic partnership. We hope for a higher level of relations between Indonesia and France,” she said.
This year’s celebration also served as a farewell: Zeller announced that his tenure as ambassador to Indonesia would end after three years.
“I will leave soon and I say many thanks to my team. Now it’s time to say au revoir,” he said.
National Education Minister Muhammad Nuh and Communications and Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring were among the guests.
“We have had good relations with France since the beginning. We just need to maintain ties,” Tifatul said.
Guests enjoyed French specialities, including Camembert cheese and wines. (fem)
