Vive la Revolution!

When I get an email with the title "URGENT CALL TO ARMS", I am not surprised or put off opening it. As your typical lazy lefty (not saying that all left-wingers are lazy just that I am one of the lazy ones. No hatemail please) I sign up for so much stuff on the internet and am frequently asked to join protests, sign petitions and generally cause a ruckus. However the above mentioned email was different. It was alerting me to this weekend's 5th annual Bastille Day on the Southbank.

As France's sixth biggest city, London is hosting its 5th annual version of the French national holiday known there as, La Fête Nationale. The all-day festival will celebrate the country’s food, art and all things Français.

*NOTE: I volunteered last night at the Southwark Playhouse, who are hosting a few of the events, and all their fridges are packed with different French cheeses. It was a beautiful sight.*

In France, the annual festival marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille in 1789. It is still celebrated in France was as a symbol for the rest of the French revolution and the fall of the monarchy. I could go into more detail, but quite frankly it is not that interesting and involves a lot of sectors of government, names and dates that have no place on this blog. If you care to learn more click here for a good rundown of events. Or better yet read Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, which is a wildly dramatic version of the revolution without the boring bits.

Back in London, most of the day’s events are happening in and around Borough Market. There will be extra French stalls at the market as well as more unusual events popping up throughout the day such as the Waiter's Race. I am still a little confused about this one. It seems that Waiters from the Bankside restaurants are quite literally going to race one another. Possibly while holding crockery. I think it may be one of those things that has to be seen to be believed.

There are also events like hatmaking and talks about perfume, games of boules, Absinthe tasting, films, cycling, football and art workshops. But from 6pm there will be live music and dancing to take you through to midnight. I am hoping a lot of Edith Piaf impersonators and accordions but I feel they will be slightly better than that.

All the events are free and more details and timings can be found on their website here.

The initial email I received it turned out was a less "Call to Arms!" and more for a request I use my arms to help them put up lights around Borough Market on Friday night. So the least you can do is come and admire my handywork while pilfering all the cheese you can stuff in your beret.

*NOTE: Berets and fancy dress optional.*