July 14th

On the 4th of July, Americans celebrate Independance Day, as for us on Incognito we are French and celebrate our National day on July, 14th.

 I've never felt more French than since I've started living in Italy. Italian people call me the "frencesina" (franchesina) which means the little french girl. I won't spend the 14th of July in France but it doesn't mean that I won't be celebrating this day on my own way.

Eugène Delacroix, Liberty leading the People

If you were French, you would definitely recognize this painting since it is featured in every middle and high school History book. It is indeed, one of the most representative picture of our "Frenchness". Foreigners when thinking of France usually picture our flag or the Eiffel Tower, but when I think of  July 14th the painting you can see above immediatly comes to my mind. It actually represents Marianne, the allegoric figure of the French Republic. Because, we are very attached to the idea of Republic.

 What French people usually do during July,14th ?

- we watch the military défilé on television
- we go out to watch fireworks
- we just feel so very French that a glass of red wine to celebrate doesn't sound that bad  (above all if you com from Bordeaux just like us) 

 To go back to Marianne, if you wonder why we like her so much, it is certainly because she is the most timeless figure of France. Our Marianne sure knows how to fit into a period and that's precisely why she has so many faces.

In 1968 Brigitte Bardot is Marianne:

 

In 1985 it's Catherine Deneuve who embodies the French Republic: 

 

 

 

Then in 1989, comes Inès de la Fressange:

 

In 2000, it's Laetitia Casta's turn:

 

It seems like for this year our Marianne should be Sophie Marceau,  I haven't seen her bust yet but I do have an other Marianne to introduce you to !

Who is your favorite Marianne ? How do you spend your National Day ?