The volunteers of Peuples Solidaires Bagnols have once again gone out of their way to offer, from November 4 to 19, a conference, shows, exhibition, literary meeting, concert, large market, courses, etc.
Africa in Bagnols, for the thirty-second time! The oldest of the city’s festivals designed and organized by Peuples Solidaires Bagnols will be launched this Monday, November 4. At the Mallet cellar, meet for the opening, from 6 p.m., of the exhibition by the photographer José Alvarez who traveled widely and created magnificent portraits. The exhibition will be on view until November 9 (from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
While the situation in Burkina Faso is terrible (Peuples Solidaires Bagnols supports the inhabitants of a commune in this country, read elsewhere), Francis Lapoulo, researcher and specialist in geopolitics in Africa, will share his expertise on the “Geopolitics of ‘West Africa’, Thursday November 7 at 6 p.m., at Maison Laure-Pailhon. The next day, Friday, the City of Bagnols schedules the show All our skiesby the Collective V.1 (at 8:30 p.m. in the multicultural room, price: €13). This show between fiction and reality is inspired by the affair of the Réunionnais known as Creuse, and questions the construction of one’s identity when one has had to forget or deny one’s origins.
Make your instrument or a mask…, henna, African braids, lots of workshops!
The traditional big market, always with new products, takes place in the multicultural room on Saturday (2 p.m. – 11 p.m.), Sunday and Monday November 11 (10 a.m. – 7 p.m.). Three days to discover around thirty craft exhibitors from several African countries, and to eat (African catering, oriental tea room, etc.).
On Saturday at 2:30 p.m., see you for the exhibitors’ fashion show! At the same place, there will be djembe lessons (two sessions on Sunday, price: €10, reservation on site or on 06 33 60 10 19); African dance (two sessions on Monday, same for reservation and price). Throughout the duration of the market, Jeanne-Laurence Angeli will offer the making of African masks, Issaka Campaoré will share an instrument making course (kalimba or djembe). You will leave with your instrument! Other workshops throughout the market: African braids and henna. Sunday at 3 p.m., three storytellers and three dancers will share their show Tales and dances (10 €).
Two meetings are planned for the children: Say too little for mestories by Joël Miachon on Sundays at 10:30 a.m., and Lala the little ogress by Aïni Iften Monday at 10:30 a.m. (from 4 years old). Monday afternoon, meet for the restitution of the dance workshop (4:30 p.m.), and the percussion workshop of the Maison des alternatives solidaires (3 p.m.) and other demonstrations.
A musical journey that promises
On the musical journey side, Saturday 9, at 8:30 p.m. (price: €12), still at the multicultural room, Jérôme Jouannic & the Papas Gombos (Burkinabe musicians). Jérôme Jouannic has been exploring West African music for twenty years and has collaborated with Alpha Blondy, Manu Dibongo, Tiken Jah Fakoly or Amadou & Mariam…
An award-winning film in Berlin
For the cinema, it will take place at Ciné 102 in Pont-Saint-Esprit, Wednesday November 13 at 8:45 p.m. (€6.30). Will be screened Dahomey by Mati Diop (Golden Bear 2024 in Berlin) on the complex issue of the restitution of works looted in Benin. An evening in the presence of curator Alain Girard.
The literature meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19 at 6 p.m., at the Léon-Alègre media library in Bagnols. The author Dominique Celis will present her novel This is how men cry (winner of several awards).
It is an understatement to say that the hard core of Peuples Solidaires Bagnols worked hard for this rich program, highlighted by Tonton Alex who once again created the soft and colorful visual identity of the event. “A festival with varied invitations, and for all age groups”as Jackie sums it up.
