France has the oldest cinema in the world

First modification: 13/07/2021 – 14:06Last modification: 13/07/2021 – 14:04

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La Ciotat (France) (AFP)

The “Eden-Théâtre” in the south of France, where the first films of the Lumière brothers were screened, was officially recognized as the oldest working cinema in the world by the Guinness Book of Records.

Located in La Ciotat, near Marseille, this cinema has “the oldest operating theater in the world,” as the reference guide that collects and certifies world records proclaimed at the beginning of July.

Inaugurated on June 15, 1889 in this small Mediterranean port that had 12,000 inhabitants at that time (more than 35,000 today), the Eden initially hosted theatrical performances, concerts and even boxing matches and Greco-Roman wrestling, explains its page Web.

Its former owner, Raoul Gallaud, had befriended Antoine Lumière, father of Louis and Auguste Lumière, who had acquired a summer residence in the region.

He was invited to participate in a first “cinematographic experience” at the Lumière’s house, on September 21, 1895, and he suggested to Antoine that he repeat the experience at Eden, according to what the director of communication for the cinema told AFP.

But during the projection organized a few days later technical problems were registered. Antoine Lumière then repeated the experience in Paris, at the Grand Café, which disappeared in the 19th century, on December 28, 1895, a date considered today by historians as the birth of cinema.

No more screenings were registered until March 21, 1899, when Eden screened a score of films by the Lumière brothers. This session is the one that was retained by the Guinness Book.

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© 2021 AFP

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