Coronavirus and confinement oblige, the business is folded for all the festivals until July 15. And maybe even until the end of July to believe the Prime Minister before the deputies this Tuesday, April 14.
For Avignon, the In has been canceled. The Off (1,500 shows) has not yet been officially announced, but we can say goodbye to the 74e edition with its 700,000 visitors expected from July 3 to 23. A blow to all the western companies that play it.
End of suspense also for Eurockean from Belfort, from July 2 to 4, with Massive Attack or Simple Minds. Also for Main Square, in Arras from July 3 to 5 and Fourvière Nights In Lyon. The Cannes film festival (40,000 film professionals and 200,000 spectators) abandons the trail of a report and is reduced to “Study all the possibilities to support the cinema year by making the films of Cannes 2020 exist in one way or another”.
Rock art explain his “Heartbreaking” to make a cross on the 37e edition from May 29 to 31 in Saint-Brieuc. And the festival raises the question of the state of companies, private partners of the festival, next year.
” Mass has been said, ” summarizes Marc Jolys, boss of the Night of the Order . He confirms the cancellation of 22e edition scheduled from June 26 to 28 in Nort-sur-Erdre (44) with Gims, Yannick Noah, M. Tickets will be reimbursed except those who prefer to keep their place for 2021…
The Francofolies have a heavy heart
The Francofolies (July 10-14) who gathered 150,000 spectators in La Rochelle last year threw in the towel, “Heavy heart”.
Beautiful eyes was to take place from July 2 to 5 in Hérouville-Saint-Clair, near Caen. Paul Langeois, its co-director, sums up the feelings of those responsible for canceled events: “At least we know which way to dance. […] We had envisaged a deluge, a hurricane, never that … ” Why not shift? “Not a single international group will tour in France this summer and even some fall tours appear to be compromised. We cancel their contracts. But everyone must be united. A good part of the groups scheduled should play next year. In 2021, we will absorb two years of expenses for a single recipe. “
Without forgetting the problem of refunding tickets. “The ticket offices have to be in sync, but several are closed. “
In theater, The Anjou Festival (nearly 30,000 spectators) was to have Joël Pommerat as guest of honor from June 8 to July 3. He thinks about “A great winter indoor season”.
There is no longer any doubt as to the disappearance of the 2020 editions ofAstropolis (3-5 July) in Brest, from Dub camp festival of Joué-sur-Erdre (July 9-12), Nightfall from Rennes (2-5 July) or from the Saint-Nolff version of Noise festival (July 10-12).
The festival of Chick, in Vendée, which normally stretches from 1er as of July 24 is heading for total cancellation. The Bobital festival (July 3 and 4 near Dinan) has lowered the curtain. Like the others, thinking of all the victims of the virus, but also of all those who have been working for months to prepare for these events.
After mid-July, doubt more than hope for the organizers
Festivals after mid-July would be relieved to escape outright cancellation. On paper, they still have the option of maintaining their 2020 edition. However, nothing is simple.
If hope remains, it is mostly accompanied by doubt. Like a sword of Damocles, looms the fear of seeing, depending on the evolution of sanitary conditions, the prolonged ban. But also the apprehension that artists, especially international artists, quash. And that the audience, scalded, does not move.
Many festivals await details from the Ministry of Culture. The biggest ones wonder if it is possible to reunite tens of thousands of people so soon after the deconfinement. This is the case of Les Escales, in Saint-Nazaire (July 24-27), still in full reflection, but who above all do not want to take risks in order to ensure their sustainability.
“There are too many risks”
This is also the case for the Vieilles Plrues who expected to have to cancel, given the circumstances. Beginning on July 16, they are therefore not affected by the ban, except for one day. “But how can we envisage welcoming nearly 300,000 people with such a health situation? wonders its director. There are too many risks for both the public and the volunteers. “
Jérôme Tréhorel does not understand the state’s decision. “For us, it is impossible to hold the Vieilles Plows this summer. A ban would allow us to evoke the case of force majeure which would invalidate the contracts signed. It would protect us. We have already committed 7 million euros! “
What about the Interceltic Festival?
An extraordinary board of directors is to make a decision this evening. “We will assess the situation and take our responsibilities”, he concludes. The survival of the Old Plows is at stake.
Another giant, the Festival Interceltique de Lorient which still counts on the margin left by an edition starting on August 7. It will announce, as planned, its programming Thursday April 16. He says he is aware of “The volatility of the situation”. And awaits responses from the government.
As for the smaller festivals, with a few thousand spectators, they are undoubtedly more manageable, with a minimum of sanitary measures. Especially since Emmanuel Macron just mentioned the “Big events”. But will they still be able to stand? It’s still too early to say.
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