President Prabowo Subianto Makes History as Guest of Honor at France’s Bastille Day
(Photo: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)
President Prabowo Subianto made history Monday (07/14) as the first President of the Republic of Indonesia to be invited as Guest of Honor at France’s National Day celebration, Bastille Day, held in Paris.
The official invitation extended by French President Emmanuel Macron places Indonesia among a select group of strategic partners that have been granted this honor, marking a significant milestone for the nation on the global diplomatic stage.
Since its formal inception in 1880, Bastille Day has served not only as a commemoration of the French Revolution and a symbol of liberty, but also as a stage for international diplomacy.
The tradition of inviting world leaders as guests of honor emerged symbolically in the late 20th century and has since evolved into a hallmark of France’s outreach to its global partners.
Guests of honor are typically seated at the main podium alongside the French President and other dignitaries and may include symbolic participation of military personnel from the guest nation.
President Prabowo Subianto now joins an esteemed roster of global figures who have participated in this prestigious event, including President Nelson Mandela (1996), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (2005), President Donald Trump (2017), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (2018), and Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2023).
President Prabowo Subianto’s presence at this year’s Bastille Day also marks the highlight of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Indonesia, laying the groundwork for deeper collaboration and mutual optimism in bilateral relations. (BPMI of the Presidential Secretariat) (AY/MEP)
