A new and delightful surprise: the partially renovated terrace of the Port’s galleys (which, once the work is completed, will be a superb future exhibition venue) was the stage (never was a word more appropriate) for the presentation of the summer cultural season organized by the Departmental Council.
It will focus on two pillars, the Estivales Evenings celebrating their 20th anniversary and the Words Festival, with programming rich in events and quality.
The Estivales Evenings (from June 26 to September 23) have the magic of transforming the Maralpin territory into a vast open-air theater, encompassing 155 municipalities for 413 events, from the smallest to the most important.
At the dawn of their 20 years, they can boast 6,496 performances and nearly 2.5 million spectators. An undeniable success thanks to the formula of free entry for the public and… for the host municipality!
The 2015 edition will start on June 14 in Tourrette-Levens, a town dear to its initiator, Dr. Alain Frère, to whom this year’s two patrons, soprano Elisabeth Vidal and jazz drummer André Ceccarelli, will pay tribute with an anniversary concert.
An exceptional event, the Words Festival features the reading of literary texts by great writers performed by artists of national, even international, renown.
Their names alone are enough to make eyes sparkle and promise happiness for the residents (and visitors) of the 7 municipalities* fortunate enough to host them.
The Departmental Council’s commitment to the spread of culture does not stop there: it partners with about fifty festivals organized by municipalities or local associations.
In total, the community has a budget of 1.8 million euros (no reduction despite budget constraints), with 1.2 million for the Estivales Evenings and 0.8 million for financial support to other festivals.
While waiting for autumn and the traditional C’est pas Classique, the summer will certainly satisfy enthusiasts.
