Alok Sharma, the Member of Parliament for Reading West, opened this year’s Bastille Day Festival on Saturday 10 July in Forbury Gardens, Reading.

Bastille Day is a French national holiday that commemorates the beginning of the French Revolution with the Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789. It also celebrates the victory of the Federation, which celebrates the unity of the French people, on 14 July 1790. To this day, the oldest and largest regular military parade in Europe is held on the morning of 14 July on the Champs-Élysées in Paris in front of the President of the Republic, French officials and foreign guests.

The Bastille Day Festival Reading started in 2012 when Vinz Valère, a young Frenchman, wanted to celebrate Bastille Day with his friends in Reading. The self-proclaimed “Four Frogs”, Vinz, Frédéric, Eric and Boubacar set to work to bring the celebrations to Reading, it was a great success and 2,500 people attended. Bastille Day Festival Reading celebrates this important day in history and also and the local community gain a better understanding of French culture. 

Alok Sharma officially opened the event and made a short speech welcoming the community. 

Alok said:

“It was great to kick off Reading’s Bastille Day event in Forbury Gardens this year. My congratulations go to Vinz Valère for another outstanding event. I look forward to the event’s 10th anniversary celebrations in 2022.”

Vinz, one of the founders, said:

“One of our best Bastille Day Festivals despite Covid-19! All thanks to our amazing guests that enjoyed the music, the entertainment, the food and the drinks while respecting social distancing and staying within their bubbles.”