How do America and France redefine their identities and democratic narratives through their national holidays?

Unlike other nation states, the United States and France argue that they are founded on universal principles rather than a common ancestor or ethnic origins. These two countries attribute an unusual importance to national holidays such as 4 Temmuz and Bastille Günü, and these celebrations become rituals where national identities are reproduced, beyond just being commemoration ceremonies. Jérôme Viala-Gaudefroy, an American politics expert from Sciences Po, examines in his analysis published on The Conversation platform why these two countries place celebrations so centrally and the current meanings of this situation. The expert discusses how these holidays reflect and reveal the crisis of national stories in democratic societies. In this context, a deep inquiry is made on how, despite similar ideological origins, the two countries interpret and use celebrations differently.

Although both countries are defined as "sakin" nations (civic nations) shaped around ideas of independence and freedom, national holidays serve as critical tools to sustain this unity. For the United States, 4 Temmuz has become a ritual used for centuries to celebrate the 1776 Bağımsızlık Bildirisi and reinforce national unity. Similarly, for France, Bastille Günü is a monument to the revolution symbolizing the collapse of the monarchy and the sovereignty of the people. However, Viala-Gaudefroy points out that these rituals are not static; on the contrary, they evolve according to changing political and social debates over time. For instance, the content of the celebrations and their reception in public opinion are directly influenced by the current political climate, leaders' discourses, and social struggles. Therefore, holidays are not only for remembering the past but also serve as arenas to shape the future national vision.

The analysis suggests that the current debates surrounding these national holidays point to a deeper crisis experienced by democratic national narratives. Both in America and in France, these celebration days are increasingly becoming scenes of polarization and ideological conflicts. Instead of a shared celebration atmosphere embraced by the majority of the public, these days turn into fields of reckoning for identity struggles, racism discussions, and historical wrongs. Viala-Gaudefroy interprets this situation as a pluralistic democracy problem where national "myths" and a single truth are no longer accepted by everyone. It is becoming increasingly difficult for national holidays to automatically unite society as they used to.

In France, Bastille Günü has long been seen as a celebration of Cumhuriyet values and a display of military power, but its meaning has become controversial in recent times. Especially debates on historical memory and confronting the colonial past show that this holiday cannot remain merely a "victory" monument. In the United States, 4 Temmuz also hosts protests on issues such as racial injustice and inequality, as well as displays of patriotism. In both countries, the holiday creates an opportunity to redefine and question the answer to the "who are we?" question. In this context, rituals are not just a repetition of the past, but a reflection of current political tensions.

Consequently, when looking through the examples of America and France, it turns out that national holidays are "zuhuri" elements that hold a nation together. These elements do not exist naturally but must be constantly reproduced and invented. Viala-Gaudefroy's analysis emphasizes that these rituals are an existential part of democratic nations, but in times of crisis, these narratives become open to conflict and renegotiation. It is seen that crowds attempt to close the gap between universal ideals and reality, but this process does not always occur easily and with consensus. National identity is constantly being reshaped through rituals performed in these holidays and the meanings they create.