The celebration of the National Day was marked by significant public participation, despite power cuts affecting several neighborhoods in the city of Antsiranana during the most anticipated moments of the festivities.
Plunged into darkness, the residents of Antsiranana turned out in large numbers for the National Day celebrations. While the festive atmosphere seemed discreet in the days leading up to the event, the opening of the stage installed on the Avenue of Independence gradually immersed the city in the spirit of June 26th.
Every evening, youth, children, parents, and companions flocked to Place Ritz and various entertainment venues. For many families, these outings were both a way to delight their children and an escape from the long power outages.
According to explanations provided by Jirama, the available power production remained largely insufficient. Beyond the university and the hospital, only three sites were prioritized: the surroundings of the City Hall, the Place du 13 Mai for the World Cup broadcast, and the Avenue of Independence, where the stage was set. The city reportedly had about 4.8 MW available, against an estimated demand of 11.1 MW.
In several downtown neighborhoods, residents stated they had only received about 24 hours of electricity throughout the entire week. Many had hoped for improvements during the holiday period, but load shedding weighed heavily on daily life.
Despite concerns regarding insecurity, the people of Antsiranana demonstrated a great capacity for adaptation.
The torchlight parade was particularly striking due to its scale. The streets were partially lit by lights from commercial buildings, restaurants, and establishments equipped with solar panels or generators. Adding to this were the small lanterns carried by children and the brightness of the full moon. Throughout the route, participants chanted the slogan that became emblematic of the September 2025 protest movements: “Alefaso jiro ô ô” (Turn on the lights), a popular call for the restoration of electricity.
The crowd also gathered at the Place du 13 Mai for the fireworks, which lasted nearly forty minutes. Despite the lack of street lighting in some neighborhoods, a portion of the population looked up to admire the colors illuminating the bay of Antsiranana. For a few minutes, the light explosions replaced the missing electricity, offering the city a contrasting spectacle between darkness on the ground and light in the sky.
On June 26th, the National Day, the traditional military and civil parade lasted over two hours, featuring defense and security forces, associations, schools, public services, and businesses. A notable feature of this year’s celebration was the emphasis on Malagasy and traditional attire, in accordance with guidelines from the Republic’s refoundation authorities.
The evenings of June 25th and 26th also benefited small businesses. Local eateries saw high demand, and children’s entertainment near the City Hall provided a boost for small operators, turning the National Day into a genuine opportunity for good business.
Captured & Published at: 2026-06-29 06:30:30 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/06/antsiranana-fete-nationale-ferveur.html