“It affects everyone!” : Star Wars fans gather in Boulogne-sur-Mer

Everyone knows Star Wars, but do you know ChtarWars? The ch’ti convention of fans of the legendary saga takes place every two years in Boulogne-sur-Mer and brings together, in each edition, 8,500 people on average. The fourth edition, organized by the Star Wars Côte d’Opale associationended this Monday.

The show has more than 100 exhibitors and offers lots of entertainment : cosplay competition, meeting with actors, spaceship flight simulatoror even lightsaber fights.

All generations

If the first part of Star Wars was released in 1977, the films that followed, the series and the games that derived from it continue to keep alive a universe that always appeals to the youngest.

Next to his armored dad, Maël put on his long brown Jedi coat. He’s too little to watch movies, but the 6-year-old boy especially loves toys : “I have legos, and a big plane, and I build little ships“, he explains.

Same passion for Opaline, 8 years old, coming specially from the Somme for the event: “It’s really great, we love Star Wars, especially dad!“The dad is Florian, he’s the one who transmitted the virus:”I grew up with Star Wars. I’ve watched the first trilogy I don’t know how many times. Now it’s the pleasure of sharing with them“, he smiles, pointing to his two children.

Lightsaber sports combat is becoming more and more popular

Among the activities offered, there is the unmissable lightsaber fights. The discipline has been developing in the region since its integration within the French Fencing Federation in 2018. Academies are flourishing in Lille, Douai, Faches-Thumesnil, Grande-Synthe, and even Tourcoing.

“What is interesting is that there is the competition side, but also the show side, and the fun side“, explains Yann Desenne, lightsaber referent in Hauts-de-France for the fencing federation, nicknamed Obi-Yann in reference to Obi-Wan Kenobi.

A unifying aspect which explains the growing success of the practice : “That’s what’s really interesting about Star Wars, is that it touches everyone“, he concludes.