Saturday, June 25, 2010, starting at 8 PM at Quai d’Entrecasteaux – Port of Nice
The City of Nice, proud of its culture and traditions, is honoring the Feast of Saint Peter with a wonderful program paying tribute to the fishermen, who, once a year, honor their patron Saint Peter.
-8 PM: Gathering and mass at Notre-Dame-du-Port church.
-9 PM: Procession of the fishermen from the church to Quai d’Entrecasteaux with music and the movement of illuminated “pointus” in the Lympia basin.
-9:15 PM: Boarding of the Saint Peter statue, the priest, and officials on the “Triton”; laying of a wreath at sea in homage to lost fishermen.
-9:40 PM: Return of the statue and officials to the quay.
-10 PM: Burning of the boat.
-10:30 PM: Friendship drink and concert by Lou Rauba Capeu.
In Nice, the sea has always played an important role, with fishing providing sustenance for the people; but it is also full of dangers as storms can be as sudden as they are violent.
During this time, religion is the only recourse available to the people to counter the fury of the elements and seek the sky’s mercy.
Since the Middle Ages, fishermen have placed themselves under the protection of Saint Peter, by honoring their patron saint in an emotional procession.
They gather on the beach, burn the boat of the poorest among them, and offer him a new one.
