Colors of Metz - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

The most significant event in the cultural life of the city is the annual Mirabelle Plum Festival. For the first time, locals began to celebrate the plum harvest more than a hundred years ago, and by 1947 it has acquired an official status. One of the main events of the two-week festival is the opening of markets in all central squares and streets.

At such markets, you can buy fresh fruits, traditional plum tarts, and amazing plum liquor, which is one of the most popular souvenirs among tourists. Beautiful flower parades take place, musicians and street performers perform in the squares within the framework of the holiday. Festival guests can attend interesting contemporary art exhibitions, they are also invited to thematic tours of local orchards. The final stage of the festival is the coronation of the Mirabelle Queen, followed by an enchanting laser show.

Another interesting holiday - the Lorraine Mondial Air Ballons - is held in the city in September. During this period, visitors to Metz will have the opportunity to participate in interesting recreational activities and admire colorful balloons rising to the sky every day. The most popular entertainment at this time is hot air balloon rides, during which one can admire the city from the bird's eye view and fly over its picturesque surroundings. This festival is also accompanied by a rich entertainment program, which includes fairs and contemporary art exhibitions, street performances, and all kinds of competitions. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Metz is the venue for one of the largest Christmas markets in France, which opens in November. Dozens of stalls are installed in the central city square to sell popular New Year's souvenirs and treats. Metz Christmas markets are not limited to trade alone - street artists entertain their guests, a lot of entertainments are organized for children.

Many beautiful religious holidays are held in Metz throughout the year. One of the most significant for the townspeople is the Saint Nicholas parade. Locals have considered him to be their main patron for several hundred years. In December, it is customary to arrange a beautiful parade in his honor. Once a year, an ancient sculpture of St. Nicholas is taken out of the local cathedral and carried along the main city streets. Such a parade is always a colorful and solemn procession. On the day of the holiday, special divine services are held in all city cathedrals and churches. It'd be interesting to visit them even for those who have never before been interested in religious holidays.

Many interesting events are dedicated to various areas of contemporary art, and the Passages Theater Festival is a great example. Theatrical troupes from various European countries take part in this holiday in summer. Each of several large tents installed on the main city square is used for a specific purpose. Some tents house restaurants where guests can enjoy the most popular regional dishes, other hide stages where performances take place. During the festival, theatricals take place one after another every day. Many of them are child-oriented. There are also meet-and-greets with famous figures of theatrical art within the framework of the festival.

Locals are known for a reverent attitude to the regional culture, an important component of which is interesting legends. Metz residents consider the Graoully, a dragon who lived thousands of years ago on the ruins of the ancient Roman amphitheater, to be one of their main symbols. Several times a year, local residents offered the dragon bloody sacrifices to propitiate it and save the city from destruction. In the 3rd century, St. Clement, the first bishop of Metz, decided to drive the dragon away. He took the monster outside the city to the island where the dragon fell underground. The bishop closed a hole in the ground with a huge stone, which is now a popular tourist attraction. The townspeople know a lot of similar incredible stories. Interestingly, many seemingly unbelievable legends have official historical confirmations. Interesting stories are related to many local attractions, and travelers can hear them all during tours.