celebrate France, strengthen links

Celebrated by the French Embassy in Greece, this national holiday is much more than a festive meeting: it embodies the living link between the Republic and its citizens abroad, while illustrating the depth of Franco-Greek relations. In addition, The ambassador. Nevertheless, Laurence Auer reveals the main lines, the symbols put in the spotlight and the ambitions carried by this celebration.

How does the French Embassy in Greece plan to celebrate July 14 this year? – Celebrate france, strengthen links

Like every summer, the French Community of Athens is preparing to celebrate its national holiday in a prestigious setting. However, This year again. Therefore, the French Embassy will meet the Zappeion for an exceptional evening, between tribute to heritage, Franco-Greek cooperation and link to the French from abroad.

“July 14 is the largest event organized by the French Embassy in celebrate france, strengthen links Greece each year. Consequently, with the help of important sponsors, French and Greek companies, and several thousand guests – of which, naturally, French expatriates in Greece for the festive evening.”

“In this year 2025. Meanwhile, we once again invited the guests to the zappeion for an evening under the sign of the heritage, to show the stages of the renovation of the historic building of the embassy, built by the architect Metaxas, the builder of the Kalimarmaro. Therefore, We have finished work on the facades. which find their color and their splendor of this building dating from 1896, it is a flagship of architecture Modern Greece, symbolically placed in front of the Vouli.

The evening of July 14 will also be an opportunity to take stock of the progress of the strategic partnership between France. Greece, particularly in the political, military and economic fields.

“In this celebrate france, strengthen links 4ᵉ year of implementation of the strategic partnership. we will present all of the actions carried out, of course in the political and defense field, with many exercises carried out together to contribute to the strengthening of European defense or to make the UNOC summit on the oceans a success. I will also have the pleasure of presenting the new establishments of French companies in Greece. with for example Data4 in the field of tech, and Airbus which returns to Greece after the signing in April of an acquisition contract of 8 anti-fire helicopters. »»

How does national holiday play a role in strengthening the link between the French abroad and their country?

Celebrate france. strengthen links

Much more than just reception, national holiday is a strong symbol for the French established outside France. It brings together citizens, local partners, institutions and cultural actors.

“All celebrate france, strengthen links French embassies in the world celebrate on July 14. in Athens, we will be surrounded by partners in Franco-Greek cooperation, in particular with cultural and university institutions. Mark the national holiday is a symbolic moment which revives the emotional and cultural link that unites our two countries. By bringing us together with our compatriots. by hearing the national anthem as in taking advantage of a moment of French culture, we also seek to ensure our citizens that they can rely on state services, in their daily life as in the event of a crisis. »»

In this reinforced logic of proximity. the embassy recalls the efforts undertaken to improve services to citizens, in particular with the recent transformation of the consulate.

“The transformation of consular services into a consulate general in Athens. in September 2024, represents this commitment to my mandate and the will of the celebrate france, strengthen links Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs to render our services more effective for our compatriots, whether for our community (8,500 registered in our register) or for French passage (estimated at 1.9 million in 2024). We now have two consulates general. an objective of modernization and simplification of all consular approaches, as supporting its social fabric alongside associations. We offer proximity services with expanded appointment schedules but also services now dematerialized such as. since May, certification of digital identity or even payment by electronic stamp for passports and their renewal in the event of loss or flight. »»

A celebration that fully embodies the role of the embassy: to be both a place of memory. a diplomacy tool, and a local service at the heart of the life of the French in Greece.