On Sunday, May 4, 2025, the ADRASIE association is organizing its Water Festival on the Quai du Commerce. A day to discover the water-related traditions in five Southeast Asian countries, between spirituality, craftsmanship, and gastronomy.
Nice will host a celebration unlike any other this Sunday. The ADRASIE association, which works to promote the culture of Southeast Asia, is offering an event centered around a fundamental element in the traditions of this region: water.
“Over there, water is not just a vital necessity, it symbolizes renewal,” explains Patricia Malissart, responsible for communications for ADRASIE. The day will revolve around this symbolism, taking place at the Quai du Commerce at the Port of Nice.
There will be no boat races or water jets like in Asia. Instead, there will be an immersion into the rituals, gestures, and atmospheres associated with water festivals, particularly in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
The highlight of the day will be the collective creation and floating of krathongs, small plant-based rafts decorated with flowers, candles, and incense. These offerings are traditionally placed on the water surface to free oneself from negative thoughts.
Starting at 10:30 AM, the opening ceremony will see the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, perform the launch of the first krathong. Visitors will then be invited to partake in this symbolic ritual.
Alongside this central activity, a dozen stalls will offer traditional dishes. There will be demonstrations of dances and fruit carving, children’s workshops, a makeup stand, and the presence of monks blessing lucky charm bracelets, completing the program. The atmosphere is intended to be friendly and open to all ages.
The festival draws inspiration from several traditional Asian celebrations: the Water Festival in Cambodia and Laos, Loy Krathong in Thailand, as well as autumn festivals highlighted by lanterns and offerings. All of these share an intimate relationship with water, seen as a connection between people and natural forces.
Marie-Jeanne Ok, the association’s president, emphasizes the importance of this cultural transmission: “it’s a way to showcase the richness of these traditions authentically, without folklore, respecting the gestures and meanings.”
The event is supported by the municipality. Admission is free. For one afternoon, the port of Nice will transform into an Asian stopover, between spirituality and popular festivity.
