EU VISITORSFrench journalism student Amel Brahmifound fascination and fear among spectators
I CANNOT think of a national event in France that gathers so many people as the Orange parades in Northern Ireland.
Thousands of cheering onlookers lined the roads in Belfast at the weekend to support the Orangemen, clapping and roaring encouragement. Colourful banners from the lodges were flying high, with their references to important figures and battles.
Many marchers were teenagers or younger boys who looked remarkably confident, taking their role seriously. Women were dressed up in their high heels for the event. Some were wrapped in Union flags, arms aloft, singing along with the flute bands.
The French national day on July 14th does not gather people like this. The establishment stages an official celebration on the Champs Élysées involving the president, the first lady and the government. Elsewhere, however, French people celebrate with fireworks and local marching bands, but the scale is tiny compared to the Twelfth.
This is a celebration which belongs to its people and it's this which makes it so entertaining to watch. There is not an event in the EU that carries as much symbolism and is taken as seriously, tourists in Belfast who I spoke to agreed.
Paul and Beatrix Weibel from Switzerland felt it was strange that only one side of the community took part, and they could not understand why so many shops were closed.
"We have a parade as well on August 1st where we celebrate the foundation of Switzerland, after the Austrian occupation, but it is nothing like this," said Paul.
While they were fascinated by the parades they admitted also to being a little frightened by how much "the past was part of the present".
They felt a strong sense of war emanating from the marchers. "Some of the marchers look very determined and like they are going to a battle," said Paul.
Spaniards Paco Pastrane and Ramone Espinosa also said there was nothing comparable in Spain.
"We have a celebration of the victory of Christians over Muslims in the 17th century, but it is quite small," said Ramone.
Jenny Thiele and younger brother Sacha said they did not expect the parade to be so big and that there is not an event in Germany that recalls history this way. "It is important to celebrate the past so that you don't forget," Sacha said.
The Orange cultural event brings people together, but the exclusive nature of the event drives others away.
Therefore I can't help myself thinking that "culture" can often be a stranglehold, setting people apart rather than bringing them together.