The Triumph of Freedom: A National Holiday in Honour of the Retaking of Toulon (1793)

Abstract

In December 1793, after the end of the siege of Toulon, which had been in the hands of the British and their allies for three months, a national holiday was declared throughout the French Republic. By that time, such holidays had been completely formed and become systematic as well as acquired their own symbols. Among the essential components were a crowd of spectators, a procession, dancing, music with songs, and a banquet. Since the victory won in Toulon was long-awaited, the events on this occasion had to be grandiose. The author studies the revolutionary festival and highlights its general and special features typical of the regions. Each department celebrated the holiday in its own way: some seized an opportunity to promote the Worship of Reason and de-Christianization, others praised the goddess of victory and the brave soldiers, still others turned it into a kind of a Catholic procession. Further, the article analyses the extensive festival programme in Paris, which was developed by artist Jacques-Louis David and playwright Marie-Joseph Chénier. In some places, however, the processions were spontaneous. Of interest are the “reconstructions” of the battles in Toulon, which were undertaken at some festivals, at which mannequins depicting kings and statesmen of the allies were also burnt. In addition, the author demonstrates how the creative community reacted to the retaking of Toulon: poems and hymns were written all over the country, plays and performances were staged, exposing the tyranny and meanness of the British, as well as the cowardice of the Toulonnais that had surrendered the city, and praising the valour of the Republican soldiers.