In the south of France, the Eden-Théâtre, venue for the screening of the first films of the Lumière brothers, pioneers of cinematography, has been officially recognized as the oldest active cinema in the world by the Guinness Book.
Located in La Ciotat (Bouches-du-Rhône), near Marseille, it contains the “
oldest cinema in operation in the world
” (“
oldest purpose-built cinema in operation
”) proclaimed at the beginning of July the reference guide, which identifies and certifies world records.
Read also: Eden in La Ciotat: the oldest cinema in the world is not about to stop its cinema
The epilogue of a long struggle
"
It is an administrative file of more than two years of research which finds its reward
", greeted in a press release Michel Cornille, president of the association
Les lights de l'Eden
, operator of the establishment which celebrated its 132 years in June.
"
It's a great emotion because throughout my life I have seen my family fight so that Eden continues to live
", told AFP, Marie-Laure Smilovici, director of Eden and back- granddaughter of the historic owners, explaining that she was helped in this fight by the great-grandson of one of the Lumière brothers.
Read also: Eden: a coveted cinema paradise
Playground of the Lumière brothers
Inaugurated on June 15, 1889 in this small Mediterranean port which then had only 12,000 inhabitants (more than 35,000 today), Eden hosted in its beginnings theatrical performances, concerts and even sports matches of boxing or wrestling. Greco-Roman, explains the site of the cinema.
Its former owner, Raoul Gallaud, befriended Antoine Lumière, father of Louis and Auguste Lumière, who had acquired a summer residence in the region.
Invited to participate in a first "
cinematographic experience
" at the Lumière's on September 21, 1895, he suggested to Antoine to repeat the experience at Eden, explained to AFP the cinema communications officer.
But the screening organized a few days later was cut short for technical reasons.
Antoine Lumière then renews the experience in Paris at the Indian salon of the
Grand Café
, which disappeared in the 19th century on December 28, 1895, a date considered today by historians as that of the birth of cinema, she explains.
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No more screenings were then listed until March 21, 1899 when Eden programs around twenty films by the Lumières brothers such as
The launching of a ship at La Ciotat
,
A journey through the Alps by rail
,
The Cow -boys from America
or
A creping of chignons
.
It is this session which was retained by the Guinness Book for its approval.
The poster for this first screening, now displayed in the hall, announces a "
most scientific spectacle, absolutely moral and interesting, as well tasted by grown-ups as by children who can be brought without fear
".