Celebration of freedom
2007-06-14
THIS year the Bastille Festival on 13 and 14 July is to be conducted in a different style - a celebration of freedom!
The Franschhoek Wine Valley has much more in common with the concept of freedom than meets the eye; not only is it the place to where the French Huguenot sought refuge from persecution, it is also the area where the prison from which Nelson Mandela was fianlly released in 1990 is located.
Tokyo Sexwale, patron of Franschhoek Wine Valley Tourism and upon whom the highest order, Légion d’honneur was bestowed by French President Mitterrand, will lead The Long Walk from Drakenstein prison (formerly Victor Verster) to the French Huguenot Monument on 14 July in commemoration of the memorable release of Nelson Mandela. A guillotine play will highlight the end of this significant walk.
This fun walk will be accompanied by decorated floats assembled from farm tractors and trailers in the Valley each celebrating positive aspects of South African history, life, and other relevant international aspects.
All interested South Africans and foreigners are invited to participate in The Long Walk.
Traditionally the festival includes food and wine, air of authenticity and a true French feel such as “Boulle” or Pêtanque, a barrel rolling competition and music.
To add to the celebratory mood, residents drape their buildings in red, white and blue and wear the traditional French berets available in Red and Blue.
It is during this time that Franschhoek lives up to its reputation as the country’s gourmet capital, with food prepared by the village’s top chefs, matched with some of the many award-winning wines from the valley.
One of the new events of the festival will be the annual Bastille Festival Golf Invitational at the Pearl Valley Golf course on 13 July.
The Freedom Run on 14 July will be led by Bruce Fordyce starting from the Pniel area, which was a slave settlement during the 19th century, to finish at Drakenstein Prison before the start of The Long Walk from where Nelson Mandela was released.
In typical French festival tradition, The Grand Ball will be held on 14 July at Boschendal.
Other traditional Bastille events around Franschhoek include street soccer, barrel rolling, boules competition, French film festival, chefs race, music, food and wine, youth awards and Alliance Francais programmes.
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