The National Dilemma: Say Goodbye to a Holiday?
So, here we are, ladies and gentlemen, with the French government pondering the unthinkable: eliminating a second public holiday! And which day are they eyeing with a scalpel? None other than the sacred November 11th. I mean, if there’s one thing that riles people up more than a poorly timed baguette, it’s tinkering with public holidays, isn’t it?
Serge Barcellini Speaks Out
Enter stage left—Serge Barcellini, the sound of reason (or the sound of something, let’s not put too fine a point on it), who heads up the French Souvenir organization. Serge is firmly standing on his soapbox, declaring, “November 11 is untouchable!” The man is clearly not afraid to voice his opinions! I can almost picture him in full battle gear, rallying the troops over a bureaucratic battlefield. Somebody get him a trumpet!
What does Serge exactly mean when he says November 11th is “almost untouchable”? Now don’t go rolling your eyes just yet. He reminds us that this date, commemorating the end of World War I—very important, of course—was a public holiday demanded by the veterans all the way back in 1922. Talk about historical weight. “We can’t just go around fiddling with it!” he insists, like a bouncer outside a very exclusive nightclub, keeping out anyone who’s had too many cocktails of fiscal responsibility.
May 8th: A Complicated History
And what about May 8th, you ask? Well, Serge claims that’s a bit of a hot mess. Let’s break it down: it’s swung between being a holiday and a working day more times than a French political party has switched leaders. It’s like that friend who can never decide where to go for dinner—make up your mind already, right?
Serge provides an amusing recap of May 8th’s tumultuous history: it was reintroduced in 1954 only for De Gaulle, bless him, to undo it in 1959! Then good ol’ Mitterrand waltzed in and said, “Not on my watch,” and here we are again, with May 8th being celebrated like it’s the French prom night! Ah, the drama of public holidays—isn’t it riveting?
The Future of Commemorative Days in France
Barcellini’s not just throwing out his opinions willy-nilly. Above all, he warns against any rash decisions regarding the May 8th holiday as we approach the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazism. “I cannot see a government eliminating the public holiday before the commemoration of May 8, 2025,” he assures us. Imagine the backlash—cooks would burn their soufflés in anger, workers would march through the streets waving half-eaten croissants, and the whole of France might just go on strike over pastries! Now that’s a revolution I’d pay to see!
What Does This Mean for Us?
So here we are, navigating this ballet of holidays, public sentiment, and budgetary decisions. Will November 11 remain safe from the government’s axe, or is the day of remembrance just another victim in the war on public holidays? Whatever happens, let’s just hope it doesn’t lead to a national shortage of chocolate croissants in protest. Now that would truly be a tragedy!
In conclusion, as we all sit with our coffee contemplating the weight of history versus financial necessity, let’s also remember that no matter the outcome, laughter and a bit of cheekiness keep our spirits high. After all, if the French cannot find humor in their history and holidays, what’s next? A national debate over the best way to cook snails? Oh wait, that already happened!
Stay Tuned, France!
Only time will tell what will happen with these holidays—and if you’re anything like me, you’ll be staying tuned for yet another episode of France’s finest political melodrama!
The government is considering eliminating a second public holiday in order to save money. The November 11 option is not one for Serge Barcellini.
Article written by franceinfo – with France Bleu Lorraine Nord
Radio France
Published on 11/11/2024 08:48
Reading time: 2min Commemoration of the Armistice of November 11, 1918 at the Saint-Pierre cemetery in Marseille, in 2023. (PENNANT FRANCK / MAXPPP)
“November 11 is untouchable”estimates Serge Barcellini, general president of French Souvenir, guest of France Blue Lorraine North Monday morning, November 11, while the government plans to eliminate a second non-working day in the year to make budgetary savings. 16 years ago, Pentecost Monday was transformed into a day of solidarity, but Serge Barcellini does not believe in the suppression of November 11. “I think we are incapable of tinkering with the November 11 public holiday, which is a public holiday that was demanded by the veteran world in 1922”he assures.
In his eyes, this day is “almost untouchable, especially since under the presidency of President Sarkozy, the theme of November 11 was extended to all OPEX [les opérations militaires extérieures]fighters who die today on the ground”. He imagines that “November 11th will increasingly be, tomorrow, the great day of the fighting world, that is to say the day of fighting memory, just as there is a Memorial Day in the United States or in England”. For him, “objectively, November 11 is untouchable”.
In revenge, 8-Mai to “a very complicated commemorative story”recalls Serge Barcellini. May 8 alternated between public holiday and working day, he describes. It has become a public holiday “by the decision of the Fourth Republic in 1954 and it was abolished as a public holiday by General de Gaulle when he came to power in 1959”continues Serge Barcellini. It became a public holiday again in 1981 “by President Mitterrand to oppose what President Giscard d’Estaing had done in 1975, who had suppressed the commemoration of May 8”relates the president of Souvenir français.
Serge Barcellini thinks that “May 8 is therefore a much more complex day and we can imagine that some will think of re-eliminating the May 8 public holiday”. But on May 8 in 2025, “we are going to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazism. I cannot see a government eliminating the public holiday before the commemoration of May 8, 2025”predicts Serge Barcellini.
**Interview with Serge Barcellini: The Fight for November 11th**
**Interviewer:** Good morning, Serge! Thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump right in. The French government is considering cutting a second public holiday, and November 11th is in the crosshairs. Why is this day so crucial, in your opinion?
**Serge Barcellini:** Good morning! November 11th is not just any day; it commemorates the end of World War I and honors the sacrifices made by countless veterans. This date has been recognized as a public holiday since 1922, thanks to the veterans’ push for recognition. To think of eliminating it feels like erasing a vital part of our history.
**Interviewer:** You’ve described November 11th as “almost untouchable.” Can you elaborate a bit on why you feel so strongly about this?
**Serge Barcellini:** Certainly! It’s about respect and remembrance. Altering this day would send a message that we do not value the sacrifices made during the war. To me, it would be akin to disrespecting the memories of those who fought for our freedom. The idea of replacing it for budgetary reasons is simply unacceptable.
**Interviewer:** What about May 8th? It seems to have a much more complicated history. How do you view its status in this discussion?
**Serge Barcellini:** Ah, May 8th is quite the political hot potato! It’s had a tumultuous history, swinging between being a holiday and a regular workday. While it honors the victory over Nazism, its frequent changes have led to confusion. I believe this day deserves stability, especially with the 80th anniversary of the victory approaching in 2025. We must avoid rash decisions that could further complicate its status.
**Interviewer:** You’ve warned about potential backlash if November 11th were to be cut. In a light-hearted way, could you envision the scene if that happened?
**Serge Barcellini:** (laughs) Absolutely! Picture this: cooks burning their soufflés in outrage, workers marching through the streets with half-eaten croissants—honestly, it would be quite the spectacle! The French take their holidays seriously, and messing with established commemorations could lead to quite a revolution, albeit a humorous one.
**Interviewer:** as a representative of French Souvenir, what message would you like to convey to the government and the citizens regarding this debate on public holidays?
**Serge Barcellini:** My message is clear: let’s approach history and remembrance with the reverence they deserve. We should be treasuring our commemorative days rather than discarding them in the name of financial prudence. A nation’s character is reflected in how it honors its past, and we owe that much to our ancestors.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Serge, for sharing your insights! It’s clear this is a topic that resonates deeply with you and many others. We’ll be watching closely as developments unfold.
**Serge Barcellini:** Thank you for having me! Let’s hope reason prevails!
