I remember hearing the Malagasy national anthem for the first time not long after we returned to Madagascar in 1962. It was a day of grand festivities in Fort Dauphin (Tolagnaro) with processions and parades, people carrying the "new" Malagasy flag while a band played. The new Republic finally had its own president, Philibert Tsiranana, and he was there, too.
My heart swelled as I sang the words at the top of my voice.
