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Discovering Provence
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Folkloric Events & Festivals |
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Christmas time is celebrated with the extended family at the table, midnight mass and by displaying of manger scenes. Even more unique to the region are the "Pastrages", when the sheepherder has his entire flock blessed within the church accompanied by the singing of ancient hymns in the Provencal language. As the weather becomes warmer there are numerous parades recapturing bygone times in costume and song such as the "Picadillo" of Arles. Many towns have parades of peasant carts decked with flowers. During the month of May gypsies from all over Europe descend on the charming seaport village of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer to baptize the statues of the fortified church in the Mediterranean Sea. The first day of summer is marked by the "fires of Saint-Jean" Festival on the town square. Sea jousting by competitive boating teams are very typical along the old town harbors of the Mediterranean, a noisy but fun experience. Numerous summer Festivals light the evenings in towns throughout Provence. Famous amongst these are the Theatre Festival in Avignon, the Opera Festival in Aix-en-Provence and the Opera performances at the beautifully preserved antique Greco-Roman theatre of Orange. The park of the château of La Roque d'Anthéron sponsors a Piano Festival featuring the best players of our times. There are Jazz Festivals in Salon-de-Provence as well as Organ Festival in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Roquevaire. There are International Folkloric Festivals in Château-Gombert and Martigues. The city of Marseille has an important festival. Aix-en-Provence also has a Dance Festival. For decades Arles has hosted photographers from throughout the entire world at the "Photographic Encounters" as well as a newer Festival "Musique des Suds" which invites performers from numerous Mediterranean countries to give concerts in the outdoor antique theatre. For those of you planning to visit Provence during other seasons there are the Film Festivals of Gardanne, Aubagne, Aix and La Ciotat. The Abbey of Saint-Victor in Marseille host a Religious Music Festival. In autumn Marseille's docks area hosts the "Fiesta des Suds" which gives audiences a chance to hear performers from all over the Mediterranean region. If you are a lover of the harp, Arles invites performers of this instrument to give concerts throughout the city during the month of October. Lovers of the organ can attend concerts in September at Roquevaire. Aix-en-Provence has a festival for the young public in October and a Jazz Festival in November. Throughout the year Provence hosts conferences and meetings that appeal to a myriad of occupations such as the screen writers, documentary film makers, translators and professional photographers. |
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The
traditional folkloric events are truly lively, occur
throughout the year enhancing the daily life of the inhabitants and add to
the pleasure of visitors. There
are maritime celebrations for the fishermen of Martigues and those of
the Blue Coast, where tasting the sea urchins is a tradition. Events
featuring bulls and the local version of cowboys (the "Guardians") of the
Camargue in Arles and the Alpilles include the branding of bulls, races in
the arenas or sometimes thru the streets, and bull fights both lethal and
non-lethal. Other festivals revolving around the green olive harvests, the
first pressings to make olive oil or the seasonal migration of sheep to the
high pasture of the Alps at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and their return
celebrated in the village of Eyguières, gives you an idea of those
involving the local livelihoods.
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Festivals |
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Aix-en-Provence > Festival International
La Ciotat > Festival des scénaristes
Istres > Festival du film court
Marseille > Festival de la musique sacrée
La Ciotat > Berceau du cinéma Marseille
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Festival International du
Salon de Provence > Festival d'orgues de Barbarie
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Le Baux-de-Provence > Festival de piano Aix-en-Provence > Festival International
Aix-en-Provence > Saison d'Aix Arles > Les Suds & Arles > Rencontres Internationales
Avignon > Festival International de Théâtre
Châteauneuf-les-Martiguee > Musique sous les Pins Istres > Les Estivales La Ciotat > Festival Nuits Métis > Musique en Vacances |
Marseille > Festival de Marseille > Festival International
Martigues > Les Musicalies Vénitiennes Saint-Rémy-de-Provence > Festival Organa > Festival de Gospel Salon-de-Provence > Festival Théâtre "Côté Cour"
Aix-en-Provence > Aix Jazz Festival > Festival Danse & Aix Martigues > Festival de Martigues
La Roque d'Anthéron > Festival International de piano Rognes > Festival des Anciennes Carrières |
Salon-de-Provence > Tendances Jazz Latines > Festival de Musique de Chambre
Roquevaire > Festival d'Orgue Saint-Rémy-de-Provence > Festival de Jazz dans les Alpilles
Aix-en-Provence > Festival Jeune Public du Pays d'Aix Arles > Journées de la Harpe Marseille > Fiesta des Suds > Journées de l'image Pro (JIP)
Aix-en-Provence > Festival Tous Courts Istres > Nuits de la Danse |
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