Second National Days
7, 8 and 9 July 1958
These were the "real" National Days of France, in comparison with the other countries. The 7 July was not a real start, since it started only at around 18.30 that day.
The evening of the 7th of July was used to celebrate three different religious services: catholic, protestant and jewish.
The catholic religious service was celebrated at the Building of the Holy See (nowadays called Vatican) at Expo 58, by the supervision of the cardinal Liénart, bishop of Lille, France.
The protestant religious service was supervised by the priest Pierre Bourguet, President of the National Council of the reformed Church of France. It was celebrated at the Building of the Oecuminal Council of the Protestant Churches.
The Jewish Religious service, supervised by the rabbi Kaplan, Head rabbi of France and was celebrated at the Synagogue of Brussels.
The President, Mr. René Coty also arrived in the evening of the 7th July at 18.30h. The same evening at 21.15h, a special concert at the Grand'Place of Brussels was given by the National Theatre of the Opera with 110 musicians and 100 chorus members. The psalm XLVII for orchestra, organ, songs by Mr. Florent Schmitt.
The next days, 8 and 9 July, were the most important of the three National Days of France. The program was diversed and complete:
9.30h: Presentation of the French members by the Frecnh President, René Coty;
15.00h: (Small Auditorium Expo 58): the company Jacques Fabbri presents: "Les Hussards" de P.A. Breal;
20.30h; (Head Auditorium) Ballet Spectacle: The Ballet of the National Theatre of the Opera:
1. Daphnis and Cloe: Music by Maurice Ravel, choreography and produced by Serge Lifar, scene and dressing by Marc Chagall, Orchestra and chorus by the National Theatre of the Opera, directed by Louis Forrestier;
2. Le Cristal Palace: Ballet with the symphony of G. Bizet, Choreography by M. Balanchine, scene and dressing by Mrs. Léonor Fini. Orchestra and chorus by the National Theatre of the Opera, directed by Robert Blot.
Official Expo 58 cover edited by Campo Rodan
The Official edited cover with logo of the country (edition is not identified).
Official Maximum card with the cancellation of 8 July 1958.
