Kyiv marked Bastille Day, the national holiday of France
On July 16, 2024, the Embassy of France in Ukraine held a ceremonial reception on the occasion of the main National Day of the French Republic – the 235th anniversary of the storming of the Bastille. The historic event that gave rise to the holiday took place during the French Revolution, in 1789. The insurgent Parisians stormed the fortress-prison of the Bastille, which was regarded as a symbol of monarchical despotism, definitively ending the king's power in France
On July 16, 2024, the Embassy of France in Ukraine held a ceremonial reception on the occasion of the main National Day of the French Republic – the 235th anniversary of the storming of the Bastille.
The historic event that gave rise to the holiday took place during the French Revolution, in 1789. The insurgent Parisians stormed the fortress-prison of the Bastille, which was regarded as a symbol of monarchical despotism, definitively ending the king's power in France.
The events brought about by the revolution in France influenced political processes throughout the world; it was the French Revolution that began the formation of democratic values.
Mr. Gaël Veyssière, Ambassador of the French Republic to Ukraine
The celebration here in Kyiv is a very symbolic and important manifestation of solidarity with Ukraine in its struggle.
Honored guests attended the ceremonial event: heads of diplomatic missions of foreign states accredited in Ukraine, military attachés of foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Ukraine, representatives of the leadership of public authorities, including the deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, Ms. Olha Stefanishyna, representatives of French and Ukrainian business, well-known cultural figures, and educators.
Maud Joseph, director of CCIFU
The event began with the performance of the national anthems of France and Ukraine by the military orchestra of the National Guard of Ukraine and a minute of silence in memory of the Ukrainians killed in the war resulting from the armed aggression of the Russian Federation.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Ukraine, H.E. Gaël Veyssière, addressed the guests with a ceremonial speech, congratulated everyone present on the significant date in French history, and thanked Ukrainians for their active national stance, courage in the fight against the aggressor, and love for their country.
The President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, Andy Hunder, and the general director of the company “Schneider Electric Ukraine,” Mykhailo Bubnov
He also noted that Ukrainians know not in words but in deed what it means to defend one's dignity and to win and protect one's own freedom, and that they are an example of bravery, courage, and indomitable will for the whole world.
The Ambassador of France to Ukraine, Gaël Veyssière, invited the deputy minister of health of Ukraine, Ms. Maria Karchevych, to the stage to present a certificate for UAH 2 million for power-generating and radiographic equipment for hospitals of the Chernihiv region, over whose reconstruction France took patronage within the framework of the Luhansk process.
This noble project was initiated by the French pharmaceutical company “Sanofi,” and to help, it was also joined by Laurent Dupuch, chairman of the management board of UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group, and Carlos de Cordoue, chairman of the management board of Credit Agricole Ukraine, while the French businessman Charbel Kanaan made a personal contribution.
About 500 guests joined the celebrations. Beautiful, moving, everything infused with the subtle atmosphere of the French spirit.
We congratulate the French people and the friends of France in Ukraine on Bastille Day!