Viva La France!

Bastille Day Celebration

by kristin moeller

The Fredericksburg Sister City Association (FSCA) is a cultural organization that shares and spreads an appreciation of French culture through a pairing with Fréjus, France. Fréjus, a city similar in size to Fredericksburg, is on the Mediterranean coast a little west of Nice. Our two cities were first paired in 1980 and have celebrated this relationship ever since. Summer plays host to several of our biggest events, including Bastille Day and the student exchange program.

Bastille Day, like the 4th of July, commemorates the beginnings of modern democracy. In France, this day is celebrated on the 14th of July with fireworks and friends. Here in Fredericksburg, FSCA shares this moment by hosting a celebration in Downtown where everyone is welcome to come and enjoy music, drinks, snacks, and a fun time with friends and strangers alike. This year we will kick off festivities in Hurkamp Park on July 14th at 5 p.m. We'll have music by the Harry Wilson Quartet and a performance of La Marseillaise by Ashley Rizzo There will be drinks and crêpes available for purchase at the event as well as a Flea Market (Marche aux puces) with proceeds supporting FSCA activities. We're kicking off our annual raffle for dinner and a night at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond with tickets at $20 each. These tickets may also be purchased on the FSCA website (www.fredericksburgfrejus.com). Proceeds from the raffle will be used to directly support our student exchange program.

While our Bastille Day celebration is happening in Fredericksburg, we will have 10 area high school students representing us at the parties in France as part of the annual student exchange program The students will spend eleven and a half days in Fréjus before spending two and a half days in Paris with their chaperones. Students will live with local families and get to experience daily life in another country and be immersed in its customs. During this trip, the Sister City organization in

Fréjus has planned many incredible group outings for the students. They will get to explore the ancient history of their host city and modern history in visits to the Roman coliseum and the landing site of the World War II GIs. They will explore southern France in trips to Nice, Les Baux de Provence and the famed perfumeries of Grasse.

In Paris, the chaperones will take the students to see many of the major sites of the city. They'll visit the Eiffel Tower, shop on the Champs-Elysée, explore the art of the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay. A local guide will take them on a personal tour of the city, explaining the unique aspects of Paris culture. The students will take a sunset boat tour along the Seine to see the city as it lights up at night, and many more activities.

It's a busy trip for the students and chaperones, who will all come home with new lifelong friends, both French and American. The work on this trip and the development of these incredible bonds has already begun through meetings between the students, their families, the chaperones, and members of the FSCA Board of Directors. Everyone met at Castiglia's Downtown to learn a little about the program and start to get to know one another as they prepare for their adventure. We wish them luck as they represent our city and experience the world abroad and we hope to see you at our Bastille Day celebration.

Kristin Moeller was a part of the student exchange to Fréjus, France and also later served as a chaperone and is now on the Board of Directors

Bastille Day Celebration

July 14, 5-88p Hurkamp Park enjoy music, drinks, crepes & Flea Market fredericksburgfrejus com

If you want to host a French student or would like to participate as an exchange student to Fréjus, France., contact us at studentprogramsfsca@gmail com