As part of a festivalthe magic also operates behind the scenes. Reception of the public, security, sound management and lights, dozens of factors are to be taken into account by the organizers. As part of the Festival alone on the stage of Uzès, at The Ombrièrethis preparation is all the more meticulous since the performance hall is completely transformed for the event (reception of food-trucks, creation of outdoor lodges, an animated village, etc.). Before opening to the public, weeks of preparation are necessary.
The Uzès Ombrier: “A flexible room”
“It starts almost when the previous edition ends”describe Jonas Weiss, Technical Director of L’Ombrière. first of all, we must determine the already known needs of spectacles. “For the exercise of the only on stage, in general, it remains rather sober. If we add to this that the ombar is very well equipped (in terms of lighting poles for example), we get many possibilities, a flexible room”comments the manager.
For this 2025 edition, the technical novelty will be located outside the room, with the arrival of additional food-trucks as well as the installation of two outdoor lodges for the last day. “The festival final will indeed be the most tense to manage, you have to completely change the configuration of the room, to go from 500 to an 800 -seat. On this day, up to three technical teams which are mobilized, mainly composed of specialized intermittents”explains Jonas Weiss.
Up to 1,600 people at the same time
A vast technical operation, to which is added a whole section of Traffic and safety within the structure of the shade. “There too, it is our teams that take care of it. Fire safety, emergency, signage …”abounds the technical director. On this aspect, moreover, the room is the subject of a control by the prefecture, as part of a security commission, before the event holding.
“It must be said that, on the last day, up to 1,600 people who are led to cross”indicates the organization of the shade. In total, four months of pure technical preparation will have been necessary for the festival alone on stage. “We arrive at the end there. It remains both everything and nothing to prepare. The rest, it will be mainly the direct who will bring it”conclut jonas weiss.
“Without volunteers, no festival”
On the volunteer side, they will be 32 to work for the proper functioning of the festival. Whether at the ticketingat reception, room or cleaning placement, volunteers will all have a well -defined role. At the head of this post, Laurent Rey, a volunteer in the soul, who does not hesitate to give his time for others. “It’s something fundamental for me, a second life”underlines Le Gardois. The latter notably worked alongside Christophe Boisson, doctor at the Nîmes University Hospitalto send medical equipment to Dakar.
-Cohesion and mutual aid between festival volunteers
It is a completely different field that the manager of volunteers will operate this time, “A real pleasure”. A first meeting with volunteers took place in March, the opportunity to know each other and establish the protocol, “Very methodological and rigorous”. “I asked for everyone’s availability, and what were the positions they wanted to occupy”details Laurent Rey.
Its role is to manage the administrative part and among other things to centralize conventions. But that’s not all, because it is particularly due to a spirit of cohesion, the volunteer basis. This is also what men and women are looking for, all profiles combined, who have registered in this great adventure. Jacques Regniers is in his second participation. “I had done that of 2023, I had touched everything, it was a great experience. We are lucky to have this festival with quality programming”he underlines.
The latter says he is available every day, with a little preference for ticket office, reception and transport to get the artists, “The main thing is to be useful”. Pour Bernard Perrier, retired active and resident of Flauxthe only one in stage will be a first. Follower of volunteering and being one of several associations, including mini-companion in Uzès, he decided to take the plunge, “One more challenge. I wanted to share this adventure and see behind the scenes of the festival”he says.
Adeline Demarez It is not at his first time either. What she is looking for is this festival spirit that reigns for several days, in a umbrella completely transformed for the occasion and to which you have to adapt. Adeline Demorez knows this family atmosphere well, to participate in the festival of the masked chickpea of Montaren-et-Saint-Médiers ; Bring your sausage, to Ners, or as president of the State Limit company, which militates for culture in the rural world. And above all, contact with the public. “I asked to be at the ticket office to be as much as possible with the spectators. I will be available almost every day”she said.
A final meeting is scheduled before the launch of the festival, one more opportunity to federate good energies.
