A third of traditional festivals have not been celebrated in France since the health crisis four years ago. But Nice is a counterexample, with solidly anchored traditions.
They are both part of the local heritage, but also the traditions that we perpetuate year after year to celebrate the legends and other festivities of our terroir. Cultural festivals belong to the base of our society, but they would however be threatened.
This is what emerges from a survey commissioned and shared by the association The most beautiful festivals in France in November 2024. This report, which our colleagues of the Figarois quite worrying for these proximity events. It reports a wide disappearance of these manifestations. For four years, which corresponds to the dates of the world pandemic and confinements, 30% of them would no longer be relevant.
In addition to the COVVID, this phenomenon would be accelerated by the financing difficulties encountered by the organizers – sometimes due to the decreases of subsidies – and to the weight loss of the ranks of volunteers. However, it is thanks to those generously giving their time that these celebrations live.
Economic benefits for the municipalities
Worse, it is specified that they can be replaced by more “celebrations” uniforms and disconnected from local history ”. Still according to this same survey, 20% of communities welcoming parties are pessimistic about the future of these events. A problem all the more important as they would represent between 2 and 10% of regional GDP, and therefore significant economic benefits. We must also take into account seasonal jobs and the appeal to tourists.
Be aware that two events in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur are currently labeled by the organization The most beautiful festivals in France : the blessing of the Calissons in Aix-en-Provence and Biot and the Templars.
On the side of Nice, we can also boast of placing beautiful local events throughout the year with linguistic, musical, culinary, artistic and folk dimensions.
Carnival, symbol of Nice
We obviously think of the carnival, which takes place every year in February. He is an excellent figurehead, but he is not the only one. In March for example, we had the cougourdons feast, inherited from the end of the 19th century. It takes place in the Cimiez garden and is the scene of the world championship in Petadou, an atypical instrument.
The Cimiez arenas are similarly requested with the May Festines, every Sunday of the fifth month of the year. At the end of May or early June, we are also witnessing the commemoration of the vow of Nice, a solemn procession to commemorate the protection of the Virgin Mary during the cholera epidemic in 1832.
Several religious, gastronomic or folk celebrations
There are many other remarkable festivities in the French Riviera capital, such as the feast of Saint-Jean (June) and Malonat (July). In August, we can go to the tribute to Catherine Ségurane, a major character in local popular culture or celebrate the assumption on August 15 at the port.
The Castellada, the International Folklore Festival, the commemoration of the 1388 dedication or the feast of the Sainte-Réparate are other significant dates of the Nice calendar. And the year generally ends with the giant crèche. “” Heavy Pressure » Supports all residents and visitors to Christmas, plunging us into a unique atmosphere.
