In celebration of New Rochelle's founding by French Huguenots 328 years ago, the New Rochelle Sister City Committee will present a Bastille Day ceremony on Thursday, July 14 at 10 AM. The event will take place in front of City Hall. This French national holiday, recalling the storming of the king’s political prison, recognizes the French Revolution as a result of the lessons learned in the American Revolution and ideas in our Declaration of Independence.

The ceremony includes greetings by Mayor Noam Bramson, a short talk on sister city initiative programs by Committee Convener Peter A. Korn and a brief note on “Why We Celebrate Bastille Day” by Sheila Sarkar, Committee member. Celebrants and guests will witness the raising of the tri-color of the French Republic and join in singing, “La Marseillaise” and "The Star Spangled Banner". A guest attending will be Camille Aubert, 22, an industrial engineering student from La Rochelle, who will be interning at City Hall.

That evening, the New Rochelle Jazz Festival “Jazz in July” kicks off with a downtown event at 8 PM at Jolo’s Vegan Restaurant, 49 Lawton Street. Special guest will be pianist Nico Moretti from Paris. Jazz in July is organized by Brian Carter, who has performed numerous times in La Rochelle. There will be additional downtown events on Friday and Saturday. Check the Jazz Fest Facebook page for more information.

The Bastille Day ceremony is presented by the Sister City Initiative, which seeks to deepen the 328-year bond of friendship between New Rochelle and La Rochelle, France. A light reception in the Rotunda will take place immediately following the event.

For further information:
New Rochelle Sister City Committee, Convener Peter Korn sistercitynr@gmail.com