The national day celebration was marked by strong popular mobilization, despite a power outage that affected several neighborhoods in Antsiranana during the most anticipated moments of the festivities. Children's celebrations began before the torchlight procession. Plunged into darkness, Antsiranana residents largely responded to the national day festivities. While the festive atmosphere seemed still subdued in the days preceding the celebration, the opening of the podium installed on Independence Avenue gradually immersed the city in the June 26 atmosphere. Each evening, young people, children, parents and companions converged on Ritz Square and various entertainment venues. For many families, these outings were both a way to please children and an escape from lengthy power cuts. According to explanations provided by Jirama, available production remained largely insufficient. Apart from the university and hospital, only three sites were prioritized: the surroundings of City Hall, May 13 Square for World Cup broadcasting, and Independence Avenue, where the podium was held. The city had approximately 4.8 MW available, against an estimated need of 11.1 MW. In several downtown neighborhoods, residents claim to have had only about 24 hours of electricity throughout the entire week. Many hoped for improvement during the festive period. But the power cuts heavily impacted daily life. Despite concerns about insecurity, Antsiranans demonstrated great adaptability. Contrasting Spectacle. The torchlight procession particularly impressed with its scale. The streets used were partially lit by lights from commercial buildings, restaurants and establishments equipped with solar panels or generators. Added to this light were small lanterns carried by children, as well as the brightness of the full moon accompanying the march. Throughout the route, participants chanted the slogan that became emblematic of the protest movements of September 2025: "Alefaso jiro ô ô," a popular call for the return of electricity. The crowd also gathered at May 13 Square during the fireworks, admiring the luminous explosions in Antsiranana's sky. The spectacle lasted nearly forty minutes. Deprived of public lighting in certain neighborhoods, part of the population nonetheless looked up to admire the colors illuminating Antsiranana Bay. For a few minutes, the luminous explosions replaced the absent electricity, offering the city a contrasting spectacle between darkness on the ground and light in the sky. "The light from the fireworks was the only thing illuminating our Lasim neighborhood, plunged into darkness and insecurity," testified Evelyne Tombozara, a mother living near the municipal stadium. On June 26, the day of national celebration, the traditional military and civil parade lasted more than two hours. Defense and security forces, associations, schools, public services, businesses and various organizations paraded according to their respective categories. Soldiers from the 2nd BIMA, in combat uniforms, particularly captured public attention. Another particularity of this celebration: the promotion of Malagasy and traditional clothing, in accordance with guidelines from the authorities of the Republic's refoundation. However, this directive was only followed by some of the guests present at the official stand. The evenings of June 25 and 26 also benefited small businesses. The gastronomic establishments of the North's capital experienced particularly strong attendance. Around City Hall, children's entertainment, notably small hand-pushed cars or battery-operated vehicles, attracted many families. For several vendors and small operators, the national day was a genuine opportunity for good business.