Edith Piaf, The Pope and a Human Tastykake Celebrate Bastille Day at Eastern State Penitentiary
It’s one of Philly’s most treasured traditions: Thousands storm Eastern State Penitentiary on Bastille Day to reenact the great French Revolution with a cast of characters that run the gamut from folks who were actually there (Hello, Marie Antoinette) to those who had a hand in French and even Philly culture through the ages, like Edith Piaf, a baguette and a Tastykake. It’s organized in part by local performance troupe the Bearded Ladies, the founder of which traditionally dresses up as the Little Sparrow herself, Piaf. There are performances, rally cries, heads saved from guillotines and eventually—the moment everyone waits for—the proclamation to “Let them eat Tastykakes!” that triggers a storm of the local-made treats being hurled over the prison walls into the hands of the hungry, drunk crowd.
As always, the celebration ends with a poignant message. Last year, a statement was made about same-sex marriage in Philadelphia. This year, the performers brought out signs reading things like “#BlackLivesMatter” and “Power to Syria.” HughE Dillon was there this Saturday for the 21st annual event, where he got shots of all the players, including a black Pope. Check them out below:
