ANTANANARIVO, June 27 (Xinhua) -- With the final blast of 12 cannons, the official celebration of the 62nd anniversary of Madagascar's independence began at the Barea Stadium in downtown Antananarivo on Sunday.
The celebration, under the theme "The love I have for my homeland arouses national pride," was marked by a military parade, which was attended by more than 3,300 members of the Malagasy army, the gendarmerie, the national and communal police, as well as the water and forestry corps. Besides, military aircraft and helicopters also took part in the ceremony.
The parade kicked off after President Andry Rajoelina carried out the troop review.
During a brief speech to the audience, Rajoelina said such a celebration "is an expression of solidarity, unity and cohesion."
"For the country, for the Malagasy people, we will work together, defend our sovereignty and develop Madagascar," he said, extending greetings to the national army, which also celebrates the 62nd anniversary of its birth.
The country holds independence ceremony every year at the Barea Stadium, formerly called the Mahamasina Stadium, where the first Malagasy President Philibert Tsiranana announced the island's independence after over 60 years of colonization by France. ■