“It could work again, but we have to pull out all the stops”: in Mirande, distrust and hope about the return of the country festival

Country or not country this summer in Mirande? Marc Pleux, organizers of trade fairs and other events, wants to believe in it at all costs, and has decided to revive the famous festival. On July 11, 12, 13 and 14, its “new Mirande country & rock festival” should take place in the city. Patrick Fanton, the mayor, said a few weeks ago, “it would be cruel to deprive Mirande of country music”.

A meeting between technical services and the mayor on one side and the developer on the other took place on September 5. An agreement for the occupation of public space had to be signed quickly, in order to ratify the project. However, at the end of November, there is still nothing signed. And so nothing definitive.

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“It would be cruel to deprive Mirande of country”: after the meeting between the mayor and the promoter, the festival is well on its way to returning

“It’s my fault, I’ve been very busy in recent weeks, from salon to salon. But I will be in Mirande next week to sign this agreement, don’t worry,” promises Marc Pleux. “That doesn’t mean that things haven’t progressed,” he adds, listing the stands and artists who should be present.

“If he needs support, we will be there”

But July is almost here. Especially to organize a festival that lives up to the ambitions of Marc Pleux, who hopes no less than to restore Mirande to its former glory. At least when it comes to country. Because, from 30,000 festival-goers for its first edition in 1993, in its best years the event attracted up to 160,000 festival-goers in 5 days, becoming the largest country event in Europe.

However, among Mirandais traders, it is far from being a topic of conversation. Of course, everyone remembers the glorious days of the festival, but everyone has difficulty believing in its “great” return. “Before 2014, it was something, yes. If it’s to repeat like the last few years, it didn’t bring us anything,” confides this restaurateur from Place d’Astarac, referring to the failed attempt to revive the event under the name Festival Country in Mirande.

“We don’t really know, we haven’t been told anything. But it’s certain that any festivity is good to have. But people have had their habits elsewhere for a long time. It might be hard to get them to come back “, fears this other cafe owner.

Nadège Blasig, head of the “Les Fines Bouches” pastry shop and co-president of the Association of Traders and Artisans of Astarac (ACAA), is also waiting to find out more. “If he needs support, we will be there. But for now, all this remains unclear.”

Cowboy boots and hats

In the streets too, we remain cautious. And excited about a big comeback. A group of men are talking in Astarac Square. Of course, almost everyone has good memories of the festival. “In the big years, you have to imagine Mirande, we had difficulty getting around. We liked it, it was very lively for a few days. But I wasn’t a die-hard fan either. My hat is Australian, no cow -boy”, smiles Alain.

“I prefer that it not happen! It costs the city money, and it benefits no one, apart from a few,” growls another. Surely in reference to the trial in 2022 of former mayor Pierre Beaudran and former president of Country in Mirande Pierre Bonnet, among other co-defendants, for illegal taking of interest, complicity in breach of trust, money laundering, execution of work concealed… The two men had been released.

“It could work again, yes. But it would take several years before we get back to what it was. We would also have to put a lot into the programming, the guests, etc. There were some great artists, a Texas Ranger who came ( Clarence Gilyard known for his role as Trivette, Editor’s note), the whole Erving family from Dallas, people came from all over France and even Europe, me, the cowboy boots, the hats and line dancing, that’s it. isn’t my thing though. it livened up the city in July Now we have to wait for Kiosq’N’Rock in August”, smiles Dominique.