STORY: France holds Bastille Day celebrations
DATELINE: July 15, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:57
LOCATION: Paris
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of participants in the military parade
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (French): OLIVIER, Naval School Instructor
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (French): CHIRS, Missile Destroyer Instructor
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (French): Visitor


STORYLINE:

France on Friday held its annual Bastille Day celebrations with a traditional military parade down the famous avenue of the Champs Elysees in Paris.

This year's theme was "Strength and Unity," highlighting the strategic cooperation between France and its allies.

SOUNDBITE 1 (French): OLIVIER, Naval school instructor
"Proud to come from a military family and work at commandos Kieffer. I'm proud to be a flag bearer. It's an honour."

SOUNDBITE 2 (French): CHIRS, Missile destroyer instructor
"For me, my pride comes from the parade, from the unity and from all those who have given their lives for our country. In particular, my first parade was on 14 July 2018, the day after the victory of the French football team, and it was an unforgettable moment. Today was even better."

SOUNDBITE 3 (French): Visitor
"Today I was impressed, because my son was on parade and he was the flag bearer at the end of the event. It was very touching to see him and I was very proud. I also shook Macron's hand at the end of the event, which I will remember for a long time."

Bastille Day is celebrated as France's national day on July 14. On this day of the year 1789, French citizens stormed the Bastille prison in Paris, sparking the French Revolution.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Paris.
(XHTV)