With the lifting of restrictions related to the COVID 19 pandemic, all regions of the country have been allowed to organise large events.
Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, was abuzz with activity on the morning of Sunday 26 June 2022. The country was celebrating the 62nd anniversary of its independence which also coincides with the anniversary of the Armed Forces.
The official celebration was marked by a military parade held at the Barea Stadium in Mahamasina, Antananarivo. There were no other heads of state or distinguished guests, nor were there any large banquets for the celebration of 62 years of Madagascar’s return to independence.
With the lifting of all restrictions related to the COVID 19 pandemic decreed by the Council of Ministers last May, the stadium was packed.
Long queues were seen around the stadium from 5am. The parade was attended by more than 3,000 members of the Gendarmerie, the Police, the Army, as well as the fire brigade and the municipal police.
The President of the Republic Andry Rajoelina kicked off the military parade after having carried out the troop review.
The ceremony was attended by members of the diplomatic corps and all the heads of institutions: Prime Minister, President of the Senate, President of the National Assembly, President of the High Constitutional Court.
The presence of dignitaries of the former HVM regime (Hery Vaovao ho an’i Madagasikara) such as the former Prime Minister, Mahafaly Solonandrasana or the former President of the Senate, Rivo Rakotovao, was also noted.
The former President, Marc Ravalomanana, leader of the opposition, was the great absentee of the ceremony.
The festivities in the framework of the Malagasy national day started on Sunday 19 June with an evangelical concert for peace and will be closed by a big national podium with the participation of about twenty artists in the afternoon of 26 June.
Madagascar gained its independence in 1960, after more than 60 years of colonisation by France.
But the day before the official ceremony, there were various animations in the four corners of the capital. And on Saturday evening, from 7pm, the famous fireworks launch from Lake Anosy was on the programme.
In addition to the projection of a documentary film on the “Foloalindahy sy Firenena”, demonstrations of combat sports are also on the programme while waiting for the beginning of the military parade. On the programme of these demonstrations, the “haiady malagasy”, the “Tai Ji”, the “Taekwondo” and the “silent drill”. Towards the end of the military parade, a great show called “bouquet final” is planned at Mahamasina Stadium. Then, the distinguished guests will attend the official closing of the exhibition at the Ministry of National Defence which will take place in the VIP lounge.
