Enjoy high-kicking & swirling action at the Confolens Festival
The picturesque town of Confolens in the Charente comes alive for the week-long festival (August 9-15, 2011) that is in its 54th year. The festival was started by local man Henri Coursaget as a way of making a contribution to the world and is now a significant international folk festival.
During the second world war Coursaget, who only died this year, was the only member of his French Resistance group to survive. For years afterwards he tried to answer the question: ‘Why me?’ Memories of his fallen teenage friends left him determined to give his life some meaning.
He found his answer using the unlikely means of traditional music and dance. And in creating the Confolens festival Coursaget has faced down dictators and sidestepped political barriers to bring together people of different countries and cultures.
The festival is today part of a global network of events under the banner of the Conseil international des organisations de festivals de folklore et d’art traditionnel (CIOFF), that Coursaget launched in 1970. Back then he invited the Soviet Union to join and despite the strained political climate of the time a delegation travelled from Moscow to Confolens and after a day of talks became a member - its delegates declaring that they understood ‘the spirit behind the festival’.
The event, always held in the second week of August, brings in 100,000 people from all over France and overseas, who arrive to see up to 500 elaborately dressed dancers from a variety of countries. This year the line-up of countries to yet to be fully confirmed but opens with a Celtic night and includes a special Mexico soiree and a giant barbeque.
Meanwhile the CIOFF now has 5,000 charities working with it. In 1975 the organisation became affiliated to UNESCO which charged the CIOFF with ‘guarding traditional folklore of the world and through this, the promotion of peace between people’. It is a role that Coursaget took very seriously. During the dictatorship of General Pinochet in Chile, for example, he flew to Santiago at considerable risk to protest against the imprisonment and torture of musicians. Coursaget is humble about his contribution. ‘It has never been about being superior to everyone else,’ he says. ‘Yes, I feel I have done something in my life, but everything I do, I do for my friends who died.’
FESTIVAL DE CONFOLENS PROGRAMME 2011
The full line-up of countries is yet to be confirmed but begins with a Celtic night with performances by Carlos Nenuz from Galicia and Dan ar Braz from Brittany. On the Thursday night, 120 artists will take to the stage for the special Mexico soiree. The following night enjoy a Gospel choir from Mississipi as well as a Cajun rock band from the Charente! On Sunday, join the giant barbeque from lunchtime. Most big performances take place each night at 9pm, undercover in the Théâtre des Ribières. Throughout the festival there are also day-time performances every day in a variety of venues.
If the weather is fine, the Nuit en fête (August 13) is well worth going to – have a meal in one of the many restaurants that spill out onto the street during the festival (or those with river views) and then stroll around town as the different groups perform on street corners from 9pm onwards. The night ends with a firework display over the river which runs through the town.
Tickets prices for 2011 are yet to be announced but last year they ranged from €10-€25 for adults and €12 for children (different shows have different prices). The Nuit en fête cost €8 for adults and is usually free for children under 12. The open afternoons were slightly cheaper at €6 for adults. There are also special ticket offers covering more than on event. For a full program and tickets see the festival website.
Tuesday, August 9
9pm: 'Celtic Voyage' - concert with Carlos Nunez (Galicia) and Dan ar Braz (Brittany)
Wednesday, August 10
3pm: Concert
7pm: Street performances
9pm: Gala opening with all groups performing.
Thursday, August 11
10am: Dance workshop
3pm: Dance performances
9pm: Mexican soiree with 120 artists performing
10am: Dance workshop
3pm: Dance performance
9pm: Gala Soiree, 'East to West' with six groups performing
11pm: Concert by 'Les Binuchards', a Celto Cajun Rock Charantais band!
Saturday, August 13
10am: Dance workshop
3pm: 'Horizons of the world" - performance of 8-9 groups
9pm: Nuie en Fete - performances in the street by all groups with a fireworks finale
Sunday, August 14
Noon: giant barbeque with all the groups performing
3pm: All the groups performing
9pm: 'Les Grands Espaces du Monde' - five groups performing with special sets and effects
Monday, August 15
10am: church service
3pm: Festival afternoon: all the groups perform throughout the town
9pm: The closing performance, called 'Panorama of Culture' featuring all the countries.