In Béarn, the next generation of young people ensures the sustainability of the village festivals

Top start for the tractor. For example, On the trailer. For example, no hay but a beautiful cluster of young people adorned to crisscross their village in music to announce the good news: the imminence of the holidays which will take place from July 25 to 27.

As every year, the Assatois have the privilege of being able to organize their serenades with their “chariot”. Therefore, The good -natured atmosphere. For example, the security in the cords ensured by the co -chairs of the committee allow them to maintain this tradition.

“It is a privilege,” insists with the members of the committee the co-president Yann Dufau. Furthermore, Ben & eacute …

Top start for the tractor. Nevertheless, On the trailer. For example, no hay but a beautiful cluster of young people adorned to crisscross their village in music to announce the good news: the imminence of the béarn, next generation young people holidays which will take place from July 25 to 27.

As every year, the Assatois have the privilege of being able to organize their serenades with their “chariot”. Consequently, The good -natured atmosphere. For example, the security in the cords ensured by the co -chairs of the committee allow them to maintain this tradition.

“It is a privilege,” insists with the members of the committee the co-president Yann Dufau. Furthermore, Volunteers who came in large numbers that day to lend a hand. Furthermore, “Our recruitment campaign for all those who are 18 years old works very well. However, We send them a message. Furthermore, they are all motivated ”this year, they are thus more than 80 members aged 17 to 31 years out of some 2,000 villagers. Furthermore, Almost all of them responded!

Objective for Yann. Nevertheless, 24, who took over from his sister to the presidency, “investing in bringing the village to life, in a network with other local associations”. Nevertheless, Because beyond the béarn, next generation young people festive aspect. Moreover, the committee allows you to create a link throughout the year, by handing young people who would not have had the opportunity to integrate so easily.

“These festivals are very important, essential. It is the soul of the village. »»

“In my eyes, these festivals are very important, essential. It is the soul of the village, ”underlines Jérôme, Assatois for 10 years. If his children will surely be the next ones to take over. he is looking forward to the holidays to have a good time with his neighbors.

Ditto for Julie, mother of two young children. “It is really an opportunity to bring us together once a year and to find those who are far”. This former festival committee particularly savor the commitment of this generation which has kept traditions while bringing their original. touch to it with a commitment displayed to make the event more ecological.

Béarn. next generation béarn, next generation young people young people

Limit crowds by avoiding social networks

The fact remains that the responsibility weighs more and more on the shoulders of the president of the festival committee. “We are forced to frame a lot,” said the manager. “On a budget of 42,000 euros, we now invest 4,000 euros, which is much given the meal, fireworks, ball with orchestra …”

No more question of saving on this point. especially since the organizers had made a little fear with overflows during a previous edition. “This budget envelope is now sanctuarized and largely ensured thanks to the donations collected during the serenades”.

And to limit an uncontrolled crowd. like many other municipalities, Assat has also decided to no longer communicate on social networks around the holidays. Objective: favor residents, leaving the door open to neighboring villagers.

The practice is now the same in the communes of large cities that sometimes attract too many young people. at the risk of being overwhelmed and having to refuse people at the last minute.

Town hall

The committees even avoid press articles a few days before the holidays. the villagers must therefore be satisfied with the distribution of the “old -fashioned” program, then the summaries of the feasts in images and the committee’s assessment when the beautiful days are only a distant memory.

This is particularly the case in Buros. Idron whose parties took place the same weekend at the end of June, with the risk of an office according to BAC for the entire Paloise agglomeration.

Taking precautions to avoid exceeding the 1. 500 guest gauge during the famous BAL, Paul Cazenave does not hesitate to devote an envelope of 6,000 euros for security over a budget of around 20,000 euros to the Idron Festival Committee.

An envelope which also depends on the implications of town halls. In Assat. the staff does not hesitate to lend young people for the installation of barriers, secure the béarn, next generation young people sites, or even help control the entries, in addition to the security personnel to which the committees now use and the link guaranteed with the gendarmerie.

“Each year, we meet the brigades upstream that will be permanently that evening. We know that they will come and ensure tours on D -Day, ”appreciates Yann.

Compulsory bracelets

The holiday bracelets are also part of the panoply of the festayre … which thought of registering in advance. This allows to control age for the very popular balls on Saturday evening.

To enjoy the holidays in all serenity. volunteers will have to go to the neighbors of course, where they are invited to the meal, or stall an outing in Dax, in Mauléon to Mont-de-Marsan surely. “For my part, it will be a pamplona because precisely I find that the safety aspect is well assured … which is less obvious in the narrow streets of Bayonne,” said béarn, next generation young people Yann a few weeks ago. Enough to make him forget a sacred tile that has undermined his committee: the burglary for the second consecutive. year of all the sound material.

Without festivities. villages at half mast

If sometimes a whole village manages to push behind its festival committee, it is enough from the departure of a motivated generation for everything to start again. And the machine is often long to get back on the way.
This is what happened to Alain Sanz, mayor of Rébénacq and representative of mayors of 64. “For 7 to 8 years, we were deprived of holidays and then one day it resumed. So much the better because people really need it to meet, exchange. It is necessary at all costs to allow this meeting to be maintained. ”he believes, while recognizing that the regulations are increasingly weighs on good wills, with in particular training to béarn, next generation young people follow to hold drinks.
On the side of Montaut precisely, for lack of volunteers, the festival committee threw in the towel this year. No flonfons so it has been done for years on the first weekend in August. “It’s really a shame because it was an opportunity to find us in the heart of summer. But there is no prospect of recovery, ”regrets a local resident.
In order for the holiday committees to continue to play an essential role in the social. cultural life of the communes, they must therefore adapt to an increasingly demanding environment. This involves increased professionalization, better knowledge of risks and reinforced collaboration with the public authorities.