The Bayonne festivals , one of the largest festive gatherings in Europe, will not take place this summer due to the sanitary situation, the mayor of the city told AFP this Sunday, who hopes to be able to organize festivities in the fall.
" It was common sense that the holidays (scheduled from July 28 to August 2, editor's note) could not be held this summer, the health situation in France will not allow it, " said Jean-René Etchegaray (UDI ), who refuses to speak of cancellation.
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" No one said that there will be no parties at all in Bayonne by the end of the year, " he said. “ The health imperative must prevail, but perhaps we can envisage that they take place later, in October or November. And at the same time, outside the summer context, what is their identity? "
A meeting of the extramunicipal festival commission, which brings together cultural associations, cafetiers, peñas (associative clubs) and representatives of the political groups of the municipal council, is scheduled " end of June " to discuss the possibility of shifting in the fall, under a format to be determined, the festivities.
It is this same commission which met Friday to agree that it was necessary to draw a line under the festivals of Bayonne this summer, explained Mr. Etchegaray. " The sense of responsibility has largely prevailed, " he said.
Each end of July in Bayonne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), between 800,000 and a million "festayres" (revelers in the Gascony language) dressed in red and white jostle in the midst of sports and cultural events, concerts, parades and other gastronomic competitions which liven up the crowded streets.
This event constitutes a major tourist and commercial windfall for the Basque coast.