Victory Day in France 2023

Victory Day is celebrated on the 8 of May. The day is honoured internationally, although there is an interesting fact connected to it. In Russia the Day is celebrated on the 9 of May. There is different time in Russia because of the time zones.

Victory Day in France- historical background

7 day of May 1945 is a day of peculiar significance. This is when Supreme Allied Commander General Eisenhower accepted the unconditional surrender of all German forces. With this act, World War II came to an end. The celebrations burst out spontaneously the next day. The French celebrate the first day of the ceasefire. By virtue of the act of surrender, the fighting ended on May 8. Joseph Stalin, who had been omitted in such an important game, demanded that the document be re-signed. For this purpose, representatives of the Russian government met with Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel in Berlin. During the negotiations with the Russians, Keitel saluted with a golden mace and behaved contemptuously. On the other hand, the Germans, who met representatives of the French delegation, reacted calmly and showed signs of depression. After the announcement of peace, people went on celebrating their regained freedom from oppression. The day of commemoration of this event is marked by numerous patriotic gestures. People wave and sing patriotic songs such as Chant des Partisans, Le Chanson de La Victoria, Le Chant du Depart and others they may know.

Victory Day- the original celebrations

Charles de Gaulle announced the end of World War II on 7 May 1945. Frenchmen spread the news further by the sound of bells. Also, another medium announced the news. It was radio. By it, most people got to know, that a new holiday, Victory Day, had been instituted. People began to gather spontaneously in various places; talk, dance and throw parties. In the US for example, 500,000 people gathered in Time Square. People flooded the streets, lit bonfires, begin to dance and make friends with strangers. Pubs were filled with revellers. In London, the main direction people went was Trafalgar Square. There, one million people rushed to the streets in connection with the end of World War II. Interestingly, Winston Churchill himself took care of the mundane side of the celebration itself. What exactly interested him that much?... The famous politician made sure that the capital did not run out of beer, which the people celebrating needed. In London, a special menu was created related to the Victory Day celebration, as well as various gadgets related to the event. People showed solidarity in other ways as well. In the London Cathedral of St. Paul, a series of very popular masses was held to thank you for peace. The masses were attended by crowds. In Paris, also after the end of World War II, crowds of people poured out into the streets. The famous military song "It's a long way to Tipperary" was sung. The city centre Celebration of the holiday in contemporary France.

Contemporary celebrations of Victory Day

The feast of victory has been celebrated in France continuously since its inception. Veterans participate in it, and the main person chairing the celebrations is the incumbent president of the country. Military men led by the president take part in a parade, the route of which leads through the Champs Elysees towards the Arc de Triomphe. The climax of the ceremony consists of laying a wreath on the grave of the unknown soldier. An important element of the celebrations is also the symbolic kindling of the fire that burns on that grave. Although it has been burning continuously since it was lit, and there is a special committee to ensure it does not go out, traditionally it has to be attended to on a day like this. Wreaths are also placed at the feet of General de Gaulle, located in Place Clemenceau.

Victory Day and ordinary life

Victory Day is free from work and study. Before May 8, school children and youth learn about World War II and the horrors of Nazism. Due to the fact, that nearly everything is closed on the day, it seems vital to go shopping the day before or even earlier.