It remains one of the very last free music festivals in Seine-et-Marne. For the first time, Les Affolantes born in Melun are extending beyond the prefecture city during this 7th edition which begins this Wednesday, September 18 in the evening and will last until Sunday.
Between circus arts, street theatre, concerts, dance, brass bands, songs, this joyful medley will overflow into Boissettes and Saint-Fargeau-Ponthierry! “In 2023, in five days, we attracted 12,000 people including 2,000 schoolchildren. If the weather is good, we will explode the counters! We have expanded to 3,000 schoolchildren this year including 800 from Pringy and Saint-Fargeau-Ponthierry”, enthuses Simon Pigot, president of JS Festival, the association organizing the event.
For several years, he has dreamed of extending this free festival “so that everyone can enjoy it”. “In February, the Agglo came to see us because their territorial project plans to develop culture and heritage around the Seine axis. We looked for municipalities that were willing,” he says.
President of the Melun Val de Seine Urban Community (CAMVS), Franck Vernin (UDI) confirms: “There are many people there. Everyone can discover the area even better. This festival also attracts schoolchildren from working-class neighborhoods in Almont and Montaigu. The goal is to make it last, depending on the results.”
In Boissettes, the owner of a castle kindly lends his park free of charge
Beyond a dozen stage spaces in Melun, the town of Saint-Fargeau-Ponthierry has said it is ready with its beautiful Espace des 26 couleurs which will host theatre, puppets, circus and street shows on Thursday.
In Boissettes, something never seen before: a private owner is graciously lending the grounds of his castle this Wednesday evening for a gypsy jazz aperitif-concert with the Aurélien Bouly Trio (at 7 p.m. and 9:20 p.m.)! In the meantime, The Three Musketeers at 8 p.m. by the Aller-Retour Théâtre.
“I know Simon, I do it out of friendship, there is no rental. I want to bring this unusual place to life. On the 9 ha park, there is plenty to have fun with!” smiles Gilles Lamarre, owner of the castle (located rue du Général Clinchant) for five years.
He, who wanted to organize receptions or ephemeral events in the summer, sees it as “a good opportunity to possibly launch something in the future.” In the meantime, he took care of the lighting for this big evening…
An example of goodwill, combined with that of the 118 volunteers who embarked on the adventure this year. “The aperitif-concert under the 15th century bandstand and the theatre in front of the castle, that’s going to be great!” Simon Pigot already predicts.
The 2024 program is abundant with 155 artists, including the headliner, Sanseverino, “an intelligent and funny guy, a real showman”, according to Simon Pigot. He sings in Melun on Saturday at 9:25 p.m. at Place Praslin, occupied during the day by various exhibitors including the organic cooperative Coop’In, located at 17, rue du Four.
The city, the Agglo, the department and 85 supporting companies
The public will also discover Thérèse on Friday, a Franco-Chinese committed to fighting the stereotypes of which the Asian community is a victim (6:55 p.m.), an electro fest-noz atmosphere with Radio Tutti & Barilla Sisters at 9:10 p.m., followed at 11:10 p.m. by El Maout, astonishing with his oral electro rap.
Then on Saturday, contemporary dance and hip-hop, the acrobatic clown Barbara Probst, etc., while waiting for a brunch on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. at six Melun businesses. “From one year to the next, it’s never the same artists. We have a staff that goes to see festivals in France. I’m more into music, others street theater…”
The festival is subsidized by the city of Melun (47,500 euros and the provision of rooms at the Espace Saint-Jean for 260 euros as part of an objectives agreement, the association being recognized as a “player in the cultural development of the territory”), by the CAMVS (25,000 euros) and the departmental council (7,000 euros in 2024 compared to 5,000 euros in 2023).
“And 85 companies also follow us,” says Simon Pigot. “In the total budget, we have two thirds of public subsidies and one third of sponsorship and direct revenue. Our aim is to perpetuate the event.”
