[ENTREVUE EXPRESS]
WHO :
Jacques Charette is the general director of the Francophonie en fête festival. He plays an important role in the organization of the festival, being in charge of programming.
CONTEXT :
The 19th edition of the Toronto festival offers a series of 30 free concerts from September 13 to 15 on the Bentway stage in Toronto (250 Fort York Boulevard), then two indoor concerts with LGS and Nicola Ciccone on September 26 and 28 at the Paradise Theatre.
STAKE :
The general director gives a presentation of this 19th edition: its new features, the challenges of the programming, expectations in terms of attendance and much more…
“What to expect this year?
There are a lot of new things. Since this is the 19th edition, and in anticipation of the 20th, we decided to change the concept. We are expanding to become four times bigger. Before at the Bentway, we only occupied the mezzanine space. Now, we will not only occupy this place for our youth space, but also the space below for the main festival. There will be a big stage with a lot of technology and about twenty community, food and craft exhibitors. There will be something for everyone: families, young people, teenagers, mature people, French speakers from all backgrounds.
You have emphasized cultural diversity in the programming and the different booths. How important is this to you?
You know, Toronto is perhaps the most multicultural city in the world, even more than New York. In this immigration, there are many countries where French is spoken. That is what we are looking for, this immigrant diversity that is part of the identity of the global Francophonie. For us, the festival must reflect these communities that are increasingly important and participatory. They recognize themselves in this festival.
The program for the three days of the free festival. Photo: courtesy of Francophonie en Fête
How are artists selected for such an event?
Our partner Batuki Music Society, which specializes in African groups, gives us recommendations. I am also in contact with Contact ontarois, Réseau Ontario, the Gala Trille Or to find out what the trends are, what’s new, what’s happening. And naturally, there is the influence of Quebec, like with the participation of Kizaba, the Radio-Canada revelation 2024. For us, it was magical to be able to get him, because he is in demand everywhere.
The job, in short, is to keep up to date with what’s best in Ontario, in Canada and also in the French-speaking world in general. For example, we will have a group from France, La Jarry, who is touring in Quebec. We are starting to be known, so they contacted us saying that they were in Quebec and that they would like to come. We also have very local groups, from Toronto, like Kazdoura.
Were there any artists you wanted to have this year but couldn’t get?
Oh yes! But we’ll do it again next year. I had some bands in mind for the indoor concerts that will take place on September 26 and 28. I’m keeping them in mind hold for next year.
Do you have a target in terms of attendance over the three days of the show?
It’s very difficult to make projections this year, because it’s totally different. It’s much bigger. It involves many more components. With the exhibitors, it brings an additional dimension. It will be festive to attract as many people as possible. We expect thousands of people, especially since it’s from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. the first two days and all the shows are free, with 30 shows and more than 100 artists. In terms of catering, we made sure that everything is affordable, in the inflationary context in which we find ourselves.
With a space four times larger, the exhibitors will be even more numerous and diverse this year. Photo: courtesy of Francophonie en fête
To end on an economic note, are you optimistic about the sustainability of the event in a difficult context from a funding point of view in Ontario?
All festivals in Canada have financial problems. Subsidies are decreasing more and more and costs are only increasing. It’s crazy how renting the venue, the stage, all the very professional technical equipment, the technicians, everything has become extremely expensive. Subsidies are not keeping up. We are aligning ourselves with a deficit but what do you want to do about it? We are here to grow, to take the Francophonie elsewhere.
We just hope that the French-speaking public will respond. That’s the advantage of having a festival at the start of the school year: everyone is back from vacation and, what’s more, the weather is going to be very nice this weekend. The fact of being under the Gardiner Expressway, It’s a real advantage. You’re protected if the sun is too strong. It’s a very different place, very friendly, because even under the motorway, you can’t hear the traffic. It’s a bit of a magical place, outside but sheltered from the elements.”
