The public will be able to discover, for one evening, the richness of the Nissarde culture, through activities, music groups, and Niçoise specialties. Indeed, all styles are allowed: pop, rock, folk, ragga with Moussu T, Nux Vomica, Lu Rauba Capeu, and Lou Dalfin.
This festival aims to show that the Nissarde culture is still as current, vibrant, rooted in traditions but increasingly “trendy.”
Interview with Fabrice Mauro
President of Sian d’Aqui, organizer of the Festin d’Aqui
Nice Premium: Fabrice, tell us a bit about the new edition of the “Festin d’Aqui”?
Fabrice Mauro: For this 3rd edition, we ensured to go all out.
In terms of programming, we have 4 superb groups whose horizons are entirely complementary. Practically speaking, there are more services available to the public for an unchanged price of 5 €.
We kept the really convivial atmosphere that I’m constantly being told about. Festin d’Aqui is a festival that should not only introduce people to the local musical culture but also allow them to appreciate the “good Niçoise spirit.” A festival to attend with family, where you should be able to park easily (the large Levens meadow allows this and free shuttles bring the public to the concert venue), eat a good pan bagnat or a slice of socca with a glass of rosé, participate in demonstrations of mourra or pilou, listen to music, dance, and have fun.
I emphasize conviviality. Too often when I attend a concert, I feel tension, a strange, rather unhealthy atmosphere. Here, we try to do the opposite. We want people to feel good, relaxed, and have fun.
NP: A feast open to Italian and Marseille neighbors, I believe?
FM: Absolutely, from the beginning, we opened the festival to our transalpine cousins. This year, we are crossing the Var with Moussu T e lei Jovents (the founder of the iconic Massilia Sound System). This is a clearly stated intention of this festival. We do not want an enclosed space; on the contrary, let’s be open and use this festival to discover other cultures, other languages…
In this spirit, we are currently working on a three-year plan where we can invite Sardinian, Calabrian, Sicilian, Basque, Breton groups… we are going to have a blast!
NP: What’s new in this 2010 edition at Levens?
FM: Behind the scenes, even if the audience won’t see it, we are organizing things more calmly. The stage will be set up the day before so that on the day we can focus solely on sound checks. As a result, we are aiming for better sound quality, faster stage changes, more relaxed groups who can focus solely on their music without worrying if everything is in place.
Furthermore, we have arranged for the General Council to provide two buses that will not return to Nice until after the last concert. Convenient for those who don’t have a vehicle or who may have indulged a bit too much during the evening. With Lignes d’Azur, they will benefit from a round trip for 2 €.
Finally, a more ambitious program, without of course discrediting the high-quality groups that have performed at the festival in previous years. We just have to cross our fingers for good weather, and we will have a memorable evening.
NP: Finally, are there any ongoing projects for the 2011 edition, especially traces of the event with a CD and a DVD?
FM: Indeed, this project has been lingering for a long time. We still lack the resources (we are working on it) to make a high-quality recording. The result, as an ambassador of our culture, must be impeccable. If we want to show what is done well here, there is no room for amateurism. We are still a bit “young” to rely on partner companies, but… we are growing.
The final word to my friend Louis Pastorelli “Lougua es la routa ma pu beù es lou camin”
