As his term as French ambassador to Namibia draws to a close, Sébastien Minot welcomed guests to the French embassy to celebrate French National Day (Bastille Day) in Windhoek on Friday.
Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, which was a key event in the French Revolution.
The date also marks the Fête de la Fédération, which celebrates the unity of the French people.
French National Day celebrations traditionally take place all over France and include a military parade on Paris’ Avenue des Champs-Élysées.
In Windhoek, the ambassador’s Bastille Day garden reception was attended by members of parliament, various ministers and ambassadors, the local French community, as well as representatives of civil society, the business community, the media and the cultural sector.
This year’s celebration opened with a performance of the French and Namibian national anthems by Windhoek’s Collective Singers, and marked the first lady of Namibia, Sustjie Mbumba, and deputy minister of international relations and cooperation Jenelly Matundu as honoured guests.
Minot also took a moment to honour former president Hage Geingob, who died in February.
The brief formal programme included speeches by Minot and Matundu. Matundu was speaking on behalf international relations minister Peya Mushelenga.
The keynotes expanded on the longstanding diplomatic ties, economic diplomacy and wide-ranging bilateral cooperation between France and Namibia in the sectors of water, infrastructure development, sustainable development, renewable energy, mining, waste management, agriculture, tourism, hospitality, arts, culture, education and logistics.
The French ambassador also noted the role of the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC) in deepening cultural ties between the two nations, and honoured the work of FNCC director Julien dal Bosco, as well as the dedication of ‘Team France’.
“For France, cultural diplomacy is a privileged means of action,” Minot said.
“I encourage you all to go to the National Theatre of Namibia on 22 and 23 August for a show of music, song and dance by the Oyo Dance Troupe, with the support of France around the art of Michel Berger.”
Mushelenga bid Minot a warm farewell and wished France the best regarding Paris’ hosting of the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“The Olympic Games have the unique power to unite and foster international goodwill,” he said.
“I am confident that France will rise to the occasion and deliver an unforgettable Olympic experience.”
Reflecting on his time in Namibia, Minot, who has served as French ambassador to Namibia since September 2020, said he would remember his experience fondly.
“I firmly believe Namibia is a country you cannot leave without regret, wherever you go next,” he said.
“Dear friends, I know I’ll miss your infinite horizons. I know I’ll miss the splendour of Namibia’s nature, landscapes and seascapes,” he said.
“I’ll miss the kindness of the Namibian people, but our diplomatic profession is woven from these regrets, which are first and foremost thanksgiving for the good times we had.”
– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com
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