As I prepare for my study abroad in Paris, I am becoming increasingly interested in staying up to date with French holidays—especially Bastille Day. Commemorating the 1789 storming of the Bastille prison, a turning point in the French Revolution, symbolizing the end of royal tyranny and the birth of a new era.

Today, the holiday is celebrated with~

• Traditional Picnics: Gathering over wine, fresh bread, and sophisticated cheeses.

• Public Festivities: Lively “Bals des Pompiers” (Firemen’s Balls) and communal dancing.

• Grand Finales: Spectacular fireworks displays illuminating the Eiffel Tower.

I won’t be able to witness the festivities in person this year as I will be back home before the celebration begins. It is an honor to learn about such an important tradition, and I hope to one day have the privilege of celebrating it in France myself.

Bonne Fête Nationale!

Best regards,

Pira Tsui