Two hundred years marked a pivotal moment. It was the bicentennial of the French Revolution. Rue du Bicentenaire whispers a tale of remembrance.
This street commemorates a significant event. It is the bicentennial of the French Revolution. The French Revolution bicentennial was a major event. It was celebrated mainly in France. This celebration marked the 200th anniversary. It marked the Storming of the Bastille on July 14. It also marked the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen on August 26.
The bicentennial was an opportunity. It allowed for analyzing different interpretations. It was a time to debate the positive and negative aspects. This relaunched historiographical work. It focused on the consequences. It also focused on the heritage of the French Revolution.
Preparations for the bicentennial started. This occurred in the wake of the Left’s victory in 1981. Cohabitation complicated the preparations. This involved a right-wing parliamentary majority. It also involved a socialist president. The Bicentennial appeared as a legacy. It was a legacy of the secular Republic. It reaffirmed the left-right divide. For some, the French Revolution was a tool. It was a tool for memorial confrontation.
In 1982, authorities considered a repeat. This was of the Universal Exhibition of 1889. It was organized for the Revolution’s Centennial. The project was aborted. This was due to hostility. It came from the regional council of Île-de-France. It also came from the municipality of Paris.
In 1986, the government created a mission. This mission commemorated the bicentennial. It was of the French Revolution. It also commemorated the Declaration of the Rights of Man. Michel Baroin presided over it. Edgar Faure then presided. Jean-Noël Jeanneney then took over.
Between 1988 and 1991, the Ministry of Culture changed. It became the Ministry of Culture. It also included Communication. It included the Grands Travaux and the Bicentenaire. The ministry ensured consistency. This was in governmental action. This related to the bicentennial’s organization.
The socialists aimed to erect new monuments. These would be French monuments of the 20th century. Several constructions were completed. These included the Parc de la Villette. They also included the Musée d’Orsay. The Opéra Bastille was inaugurated. So was the Pyramid du Louvre. The Grande Arche de la Défense was too.
Important sections of the capital closed. They closed to vehicles. They were reserved for pedestrians.
The bicentennial was celebrated. This involved ceremonies and events. There were parades and shows. Military parades occurred. This happened in many major French cities.
In Paris, a military parade marched. This was on the Champs-Élysées. Three hundred armored vehicles took part. So did 5,000 troops on foot. The Alpha Jets released fumes. The fumes matched the French flag. This was during their flyover.
The parade attracted nearly 800,000 spectators. People came from all over the world. Chinese dissidents were welcomed. They were exfiltrated after the Tiananmen Square protests.
Thirty-three foreign heads of state attended. The entire official platform rose. This was as the Foreign Legion passed. They saluted it.
An immense parade occurred. It was called La Marseillaise. Jean-Paul Goude created it. Wally Badarou provided the music. This parade was followed by millions. Jessye Norman sang La Marseillaise.
The decision was made. There was a transfer of ashes to the Panthéon. The ceremony recognized Abbé Grégoire. It also recognized Monge and Condorcet.
Other celebrations took place. These included theater. There were also street demonstrations. Numerous municipalities organized events.
In Normandy, Bernard Romain covered a cliff. It was covered with the French flag’s colors. In Rouen, tall ships were exhibited. The Ministry of Culture organized a show. It was called Naissance d’une Nation.
The Rue du Bicentenaire serves as a reminder. It reminds us of the French Revolution. It reminds us of its impact on France.