Elected at the head of the Chartrestivales association in 2019, Lucien Roger and his seventeen volunteers saw their association’s activity reduced to almost zero in 2020 due to the pandemic. But that didn’t stop them from preparing for the fifty concerts that took place in July and August in André-Gagnon Park. The president looks back on this successful season despite the crisis.
How did you experience the 2021 edition? Despite the health restrictions, the 950 spectators to respect and, then, the health pass from July 21, I would say that it is a very successful and quality edition. All of our volunteers were loyal to the job, everyone knew their role and the mechanics turned out well. We were happy to be able to offer these concerts every evening and the atmosphere was very good.
Are concerts in a park an advantage or a disadvantage for you? It is true that the change of location has shaken up our organization a bit, but it is a very pleasant place. Moreover, all the groups told us that playing in a vast wooded park is a very good idea. They appreciated it very much. We had to check the gauge and the sanitary pass. We had to hire agents at the entrance to the park, this is an additional cost but overall it is a very good experience for all of our volunteers.
“Almost nothing new” in 2022
So in 2022, concerts in the park or in the city center? It is a little too early to know. It is true that the merchants of the city center would like the concerts to come back and we regret that the tourists that we had before during the summer evenings did not come to the park. On the other hand, we have noticed the arrival of a new audience, families with children. There are pros and cons, but the choice is not yet clear.
And on the programming side for 2022. Almost all groups will be new except two or three including the great orchestra Bernard Becker and The French Touch NZ which will be back next summer. We will know more after December 15th.
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