Colors of Avignon - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Local residents combine all national French traits of character, such as a sense of superiority, the variability of mood, or constant craving for something new and unknown. They feel extremely uncomfortable at home, so even after a hard working day they are likely to go to one of the local restaurants or to a theater. Sitting at home is not very common there. The desire of local residents to be seen by others all the time, craving for making new acquaintances and fascinating others with their unique charm appeared many centuries ago. During a year Avignon becomes the location of numerous national holidays, during which both townspeople and visitors can relax and enjoy communication with each other.

Every year Avignon hosts a grand celebration, which attracts fans of theater from all over the world. This is the famous International Theater Festival held in July. During one month numerous music bands, theater groups and dancers from around the world come to Avignon. The city simply turns into a huge theater area, where performances take place day and night. It should be noted that the festival attracts not only professional theater actors and musicians, but also those people, for whom theater is only a hobby. In addition to high class performances visitors of the festival can see the plays made by "beginners". During the time of the festival the scenes of local theatres are made in different organizations. Even the local churches and monasteries open venues for theatrical performances, but the main stage is traditionally located near the Papal Palace.

For the first time the festival was held in 1971. In order to honor the holiday special wooden scaffolding was installed on the territory of Papal Palace. This “stage” was used for all large performances. Each year the festival became more and more popular and it attracted more people, so all new squares and cozy courtyards were steadily converted into stages. The famous Avignon Festival remains a cherished dream of all theater-goers and fans of this exquisite art for over forty years. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Surrounded by beautiful crenelated walls stretching for more than 4 kilometers, Avignon is one of the largest and most beautiful cities in Provence. The city lives in the traditional rhythm for many hundreds of years and celebrates almost all Catholic holidays with a great scope. The most popular event in Avignon is the Festival D'Avignon - the oldest theatrical festival in Europe, which never ceases to amaze the public with fresh ideas and new talents. Avignon Festival, founded by the outstanding theater director Jean Vilar, has been the main event of the summer cultural calendar of France for half a century. On its stage, the audience gets acquainted with the premieres of the largest studios in Europe and learns about the latest trends in theatrical art. The traditional venue of the festival is the open courtyard in the legendary Papal Palace, which can accommodate up to 2,000 spectators. Annually, about twenty art groups from different countries perform here. In addition to the drama, other forms of theatrical art are presented here - modern dance, musical, pantomime, puppet shows. The ticket price for the Avignon Festival starts from 10 Euros.

In addition to the main program, guests of the Avignon Festival get acquainted with the performances of the Festival du Off, similar to the famous Fringe Festival. Here, each year the works of small and experimental collectives are shown. Amateurs demonstrate their creations in squares, parks, nightclubs, churches, shops and cultural institutions throughout the city. Another interesting event in August is the Les Luminessences Avignon. For the whole two months, the Papal Palace will appear before you in a completely new light, revealing its secrets and mysteries through a unique 3D show with video and audio special effects. During the event, you can make an unforgettable journey through the centuries: colors and play of light will transform this Gothic fortress-palace into an open-air theater, and grandiose scenography will transfer you in time and space to medieval Avignon - the cradle of the Catholic church. In late November - early December, the city hosts the Christmas Fair. It is not as popular as the Fair of Arles, but it is interesting with the products of local artisans on it - very spiritual and ethnic.