The famous Foire Saint-Jean, an unmissable event at the start of summer in Strasbourg, will not return before 2027. The City confirmed this Tuesday, December 3, 2024 that, due to a lack of adequate land and sufficient resources, the event could not be organized. before the completion of work on the Plaine des Bouchers site, scheduled in three years. “As the City of Strasbourg is no longer able to organize a temporary site due to the financial situation and the shortage of land, the Saint-Jean Fair will resume after the work in its usual format.l”, specifies an official press release.
No Fair for three more years
The decision, unprecedented in the centuries-old history of this funfair, arouses strong reactions. Pierre Jakubowicz, opposition municipal councilor, strongly criticized the mayor of Strasbourg, calling for “find a transitional solution before delivery of the festive plain”. As for the fairgrounds, the disappointment is immense: “I’m shocked, we had no choice”, deplores a fairground contacted. The cancellation represents a considerable loss of income for this already weakened profession…
A fair ready to return despite the bans
However, the future of the fair remains uncertain. According to News Strasbourgthe fairgrounds’ lawyer, Olivier Le Maillou, assured that the 2025 edition would be held “with or without authorization, even if you have to come by force”. A declaration which illustrates the growing tension between the fairgrounds and the municipality, and suggests a standoff over the future of this popular tradition.
Source : News Strasbourg