It is Bastille day in France but few people are in the mood for festivities. The riots of a fortnight ago have left physical and psychological scars that won’t heal anytime soon.
It is Emmanuel Macron’s seventh Bastille day as president, and his special guest this year is Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, chosen to mark the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership agreed by the two countries.
France is more divided, more angry and above all more frightened than it has been in decades
The day’s celebrations will end in the traditional way, with a grand display of fireworks, although the cynic might wonder if the French haven’t had enough of those in recent weeks.
Many areas have cancelled their July 14 festivities in light of the riots, including Nanterre – where the trouble began after police shot a teenager – and a host of other towns further afield. ‘We can’t celebrate our national day because of hooligans,’ said David Lisnard, the head of the French Mayors; Association and a member of the centre-right Republicans.
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