Le Figaro Bordeaux
The hearts of the Gironde firefighters beat to the rhythm of the pop rock sound that ignites the Peixotto castle in Talence (Gironde). Mika, Juliette Armanet, Trois cafés gourmands, Texas. The older ones came to pay tribute to the soldiers in red and black who died in the fire, and especially to their wards, from Thursday to Sunday, for the ODP festival, organized in honor of the orphans of the firefighters. Marylou Dubosc, 13, is the fruit of the love of a firefighter and a nurse, who will get married on August 19. Her father working at the festival bar this Thursday night, she enjoys the show with her mother and sister. "It's moving and reassuring to know that if one day something happens, the big family of firefighters will be there for us." Everything, or almost everything, is said by the teenager. Beyond the dream poster and the presence of the Lebanese star who gave his first concert in Europe of the year, it is indeed "the cause" that will bring together 6000 to 7200 spectators, four nights. Logistics, bar service, security... Look for the firefighters: again, the heroes are on duty.
For them, this festival has a more than symbolic dimension: it illustrates their values in every detail. A VIP area is dedicated to people with reduced mobility. The audience, cheerful and disciplined, savors the shows smoothly. And most of the firefighters took days off to ensure the feast was held and thus honor their dead. "Picking up a homeless person in the street or helping a millionaire, we do not make the difference," summarizes Cédric Becary, professional firefighter for 28 years and currently stationed in Mérignac. The lives of two of his friends were engulfed in flames. The deceased nobles were 38 and 45 years old. "We feel that we are acting for something noble. Last year, I saw their children here, "confides, with a moving thrill, the one who has been involved in the organization of the event since its creation. A modesty characteristic of firefighters, underlined by Mika on the title Underwater. "The next chorus, I only want to hear the firefighters, they are shy," teased the star to applause. "All I need is the love you breathe," the crowd replied. Emotion.
ODP Festival - Talence 2023
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Soul supplement
This festival, not quite like the others, has an extra soul. The atmosphere is simple and joyful, the audience populated by families and seniors. As for the little ones of the heroes, they are the real stars of the festivities. "My dad saves people and puts out the fire. I even got into his truck, "explains tenderly to the Figaro Lucie Vivier, 6 years old. Before exclaiming, very proud: "Tonight is my first show!" She is not the only one to tremble with joy in this 8th edition of the ODP festival. "At the time of its creation, it was madness. Today, it is an immense pride for the mayor that I am, "says Emmanuel Sallaberry. And this year, after the terrible fires that ravaged the Gironde, the show has a special flavor. "The message is simple: if you like firefighters, come!" harangues the elected official. His municipality is not content to say it: it has generously added an additional 30,000 euros to its contribution to remedy a decrease in the amount of the traditional regional subsidy.
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Talence came to play firefighters this year," confirms Chief Warrant Officer Sébastien Lussagnet, president and founder of the event. Despite this disappointment, this 8th ODP festival is already recording record audiences. And for an important part, further proof - if one were needed - that the children of the heroes are the real stars of the poster, many tickets were sold even before the programming was unveiled. Mika arrived several hours before his performance to share a special moment with the pupils. To the creator of this exceptional adventure to conclude with hope: "If this young audience could be the one of the future, it would be great.
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