the essential
Organized by Diaconie de la Beauté, in partnership with the city of Lourdes, the next Beauty Festival will take place from November 8 to 10. Meeting with the organizer, Anne Facerias.
You are organizing your fourth festival. Was it necessary to do it again?
More than ever! After having addressed the themes “The 100 Skies” (2021), “The Breath” (2022) and “Shadow and Light” (2023), we have chosen to focus this year on “The Creation”: the creation of the world ( Genesis); the creation of a work of art; the “Big Bang”… Creationism or evolutionism: the point of view of the philosopher, that of the astronomer and that of the Church… So many recurring, essential, existential, vital, absolutely fundamental questions that each of us asks ourselves poses and which do not fail to challenge.
In these times marked by uncertainties, economic crises and the multiplication of conflicts (Ukraine, Middle East, North Korea, etc.), don’t you think that people are more concerned with knowing where they are going, rather than know where they come from?
The whole question is there: how could humanity in general, and human beings in particular, understand and direct their future in the right direction, if they are not aware of their past?
And relaxation in all this?
Rest assured: there will be some, with shows of very high standard: I am thinking, among others, of that of the young Christians of the pop group “Hopen”, which has already sold more than forty thousand copies: a concert which promises to “tear seriously”, as we say today. There will also be the show “Thérèse”, by Marie-Ange Koenig, directed by Jean-François Dorza, and many other surprises!
The program
Friday November 8
– 6:30 p.m.: opening of the exhibition by Jakez Goyat (School of Fine Arts of Lorient and Paris) – Palais des Congrès.
– 8:30 p.m.: “Thérèse” show, with Marie-Ange Koenig and Jean-François Dorza – Palais des Congrès.
Saturday November 9
– 11 a.m.: round table on Creation, with Mgr Perrier (bishop emeritus of Lourdes), Raghounat Manet (Indian producer), Philippe Pouzet (president of the Lourdes astro-club), Christian Loubère (associate professor of philosophy, teacher at Argelès-Gazost high school) – Palais des Congrès.
– 1 p.m.: lunch (registration required).
– 4 p.m.: show: “Marie de Magdala”, with Véronika Dimikoli and Nirina Ralaivola (free participation) – Maison de la Diaconie (14 Chaussée du Bourg).
– 8:30 p.m.: “Hopen” concert, with a preview of the participation of performers from different countries – Palais des Congrès.
Sunday November 10
– 10 a.m.: mass at the grotto, led by the Diakonia of Beauty.
– 3 p.m.: screening of the film “Return to Pondicherry”, followed by a debate in the presence of the director – Palais des Congrès.
