French Look Forward To Brunei's National Day
By Zasika Musdi

Bandar Seri Begawan - Those from Alliance Francaise, the French cultural agency, are looking forward to be a part of Brunei's 24th National Day tomorrow at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien

"I can't wait to see what has been organised for the National Day celebration," said Vanessa Peronny, who said this would be her first time to experience it.

"I am looking forward to the primary school children's performances the most, as back in France we don't normally involve children during our French national holiday, Bastille Day.

"For our French National Day, we have a French Military parade in Paris, in the morning of July 14, and this has been going on since 1880. The parade will march down the Champs-Elysées from 1'Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde where the President de la Republique, and government and foreign ambassadors in France stand. We also have military jets shooting through the sky with red, white and blue smoke billowing behind them, fireworks at night, and concerts held in all the major cities. Experiencing a different National Day at a different country will be one that I will not miss.

"Back in France, you won't see people with flags on their cars, outside their houses, or anywhere else. Seeing the Bruneians with the flags on their cars makes me want to have one on mine too, but I haven't been able to find one yet! I also want a bigger one to bring back with me to France," said Vanessa.

"Our National Day is very formal, and usually involves the military, police force, university students, but never the children," said Cyrielle Bazin, Director of Alliance Francaise.

"I think it's a good thing that children are involved in such a prestigious day, as it teaches them to be patriotic, and gives them a sense of belonging —that they are Bruneian, and they should be proud to be one.

"I expect it to be very beautiful, as National Day celebrations are usually very huge. I've driven around the capital at night and the lights all around are very pretty. I've also seen the rehearsal from a friend's apartment in the capital, and saw how colourful it is. I think the children really are having fun, and we will too."

Some 1,400 students from various educational institutions will be giving it their best on the day, but a main concern raised by many, particularly the primary school children, is the school hours they have missed to make the performance a success.

Delphine Renaut, cultural and educational assistant of Alliance Francaise, also raised this concern after speaking to a number of Bruneian teachers.

"Many said that they can't teach because the children are too busy rehearsing, and the exertion the children have to face usually results with the inability to focus on their studies. They have missed out on a lot of their school curriculum, and some teachers think involving primary school children is a waste of time," she said.

Cyrielle Bazin disagreed and said that such an event is part of the education for the youth.

"When you're in school, it is more than just learning academically, but building yourself into becoming a patriotic adult who loves his or her country.

"In France, the children are not involved, and some grow up to be lost individuals, without a sense of identity. After all, it only happens once a year, and I'm sure the government of Brunei is not asking for much, but intend to make the children proud of being Bruneians."

An explanation for the involvement of many primary students during this year's National Day could be in celebration of the theme ‘Tunas Bangsa’ — referring to the young people we see today, those who are expected to grow to be responsible individuals. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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