It is an extraordinary event that Marseille is about to experience. On the occasion of two days of festivities, on 7 and 8 May, the Cité Phocéenne, the first French city to host the Olympic Flame, intends to make this great event a strong symbol that must give us an idea of what will be the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
An event that celebrates Olympic values
The arrival of the Olympic Flame in Marseille is like the Grail that an entire country was waiting for. Part of Greece on April 27 on one of the jewels of the French maritime heritage, the Belem, the Flame is preparing to travel, through 65 territories and 10,000 relayers, the entire national territory, including Corsica and the overseas departments and territories. And this, until July 26, date of the Opening Ceremony of Paris 2024.
On May 8, in Marseille, the first bearer of the Flame will be Florent Manaudou, Olympic swimming champion, followed by many athletes, but also emblematic personalities and committed citizens. For all, the Olympic Flame is above all the symbol of universal valuesOlympic (friendship, respect, excellence) and Paralympic (determination, equality, inspiration and courage). But also humanistic values such as the unifying dimension of sport, of which it is a formidable symbol. Nathalie Paoli, co-founder of the association Le Point rose, which supports parents who have lost a child, will be one of the relays in Marseille. “ The stake," she said, it is to keep this vital flame in them ".
An event that celebrates France’s heritage
Leaving the port of Piraeus, near Athens, Greece, to transport the Olympic Flame to Marseille, the crew of the Belem, this jewel of our maritime heritage, launched in 1896, listed as a historic monument in 1984 and restored in 2023 by the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs of the Pays de la LoireDid he suspect that he would be welcomed?
When he arrived in the harbor of Marseille, more than a thousand boats will accompany his parade. And that’s not all... animations will punctuate these festivities: workshops of Provençal jousts, parade of Marseille barquettes, involvement of local rowing clubs, kayak, canoe, escort of traditional sails or light sails by children and nautical champions of tomorrow, loop of about forty old riggings... Finally, a drone show organized by the Aix-Marseille Metropolis, will offer a dreamlike vision of the odyssey of the famous training ship.
An event that celebrates the values of creation
Another highlight of Marseille’s heritage, the Château d'If, an impressive fortified building located on an islet off the Old Port, is preparing to add a new chapter to its long and tumultuous history (how not to remember the striking episodes of the Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas?… ) On May 8, at 3 p.m., he will welcome Room with a view, a radical choreographic performance conceived by the Ballet national de Marseille – (THE) HORDE, the École nationale de danse de Marseille and the Grenade – Josette Baïz dance group.
Created in 2020, this punch performance echoes the youth revolt in its raw and instinctive way. “ The choreography meets the music [signed by Bone] to tell the suffering and legitimate anger of current generations who seek to unite to make sense, in communities of celebration and struggle ", say its authors. At Château d'If, Room with a view will be performed by a group of thirty-seven dancers, including the National Dance School of Marseille and the youth of the company Grenada. A performance that opens up horizons to all possibilities Like the Olympic and Paralympic Games, in short?
Two other cultural events will mark this day: a plastic installation by Miguel Chevalier, inspired by marine flows and biodiversity on the lighthouse of the island of If; an exceptional concert on the Old Port, including rappers Alonzo and Soprano (20:30-23:30)
Figures from the Paris 2024 Torch Relay
Olympic Torch Relay in France
- From 8 May to 26 July
- 10,000 torchbearers in France
- 69 days Olympic Torch Relay
- 65 territories crossed including 6 ultramarine territories
- 7 June: departure of the oceans relay in Brest on board the Maxi Banque Populaire XI to the Antilles
Paralympic Torch Relay in France
- August 25-28
- 1000 flame carriers
- 50 cities in all regions of France
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