Every week, Midi Libre meets actors from the cultural world. Sofia Pavanini volunteers as part of the Les Givrées Festival in Millau.
Among the twenty volunteers from the Les Givrées collective is Sofia Pavanini, 28 years old, Italian, who arrived in Millau two and a half years ago. After studying foreign languages, translation and interpretation during which she studied French the most, she came to France for a radio internship in Nantes and then civic service in Angers. “I came to Millau a bit by chance. I knew the former coordinator of Radio Larzac who was leaving. His position interested me, I was apprehensive about the size of the town because I had only lived in towns bigger ones In the end, I liked it so I stayed.”says the coordinator and journalist of the associative radio.
“Logic for me to get involved”
His investment in Les Givrées, an eco-festival of French-speaking songs, is both professional and personal. “With Radio Larzac, we have a partnership with the Théâtre de la Maison du Peuple and the person I replaced was in the collective. It made sense for me to continue and it also allowed me to meet people, see concerts.” explains the young woman who participated in its first edition in 2023. “We have 3 shows during the festival and a live set in public. Personally, I was on the small catering commission for two years and this time, I am on communications to see another side of the event” , specifies the volunteer.
Why this name, “Les Givrées”, according to her? “My interpretation is that this festival is intended to be in a slightly offbeat, ironic and playful spirit. Frosted in the feminine plural because we are talking about songs. In January there are fewer events in the area so it is something a little frosty in Millau and in South Aveyron, for us, distracting from an atmosphere which can sometimes be gloomy at this time, after the end of year celebrations.”
-A committed eco festival
The Les Givrées festival is part of an eco-responsible dynamic: “We emphasize soft mobility with bike garages, electric bike loans via the Grands Causses park, an incentive for carpooling via a dedicated site and a Lunavélo with musical surprises. In addition, we share as much as possible the journeys of the artists”specifies Sofia Pavanini. The festival sets up waste sorting, promotes reuse (dishes, tablecloths, decorative elements, etc.) and members of the collective are made aware of composting. The escapades take the form of candlelight performances. The snacks are designed with local producers and anti-waste partners. “Great attention is paid to all of this. The idea is to ensure that the festival is a moment where these measures are highlighted”she confides.
A varied program
About the collective, Sofia Pavanini explains: “There are different profiles, active people, retired people. What unites us is not only music, it is participating in the cultural life of Millau. And above all, there is room for everyone and for new ideas.” Preparation for the festival takes place during monthly meetings between March and December. A smaller organizing committee meets on the programming and structure of the festival. “The theater hosts the event but the objective is to be as close as possible to the inhabitants, hence concerts on getaways but also at the media library, at the museum and at home thanks to the hUbert Hits group.” Indeed, in Millau, Saint-Affrique and Saint-Georges-de-Luzençon, everyone will be able to offer the person of their choice a song at home by reserving a delivery during the slots offered. The festival takes place from January 17 to 25 with concerts, an exhibition, a game, a singing tour, an oyster aperitif, a singing conference, etc. “Even if we don’t know the artists, it’s varied, there are always lots of surprises, the prices are interesting and we have a good time”concludes Sofia Pavanini.
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