aixcentric

Carnaval in Aix is great fun: last year it took me hours to get all the confetti out of my hair and clothes…and it reappeared in the apartment for days afterwards.  The children of the town take great delight in flinging handfuls everywhere.

This year the event takes place on Sunday 24th April, from 15:00 hrs, in the cours Mirabeau as usual.

A  ‘carnaval’ has taken place in Aix for  hundreds of years. It used to be a modest affair of home-decorated floats.  Then the council decided to modernise the event, using professional street events companies to provide highly imaginative special effects.

This year’s futuristic theme is ‘Nous sommes demain’, and the street specialists Gratte Ciel will be co-ordinating the proceedings.

There will be about a thousand participants from organisations across Aix, together with circus performers and dancers.

This year, the event is partnered with the Conservatoire Darius Milhaud so we can expect lots of music – in fact they are promising to transform the cours Mirabeau into an immense street band – with a final surprise at the Rotonde.

Expect: Crowds of people especially families lining the cours.  Lots of children in costumes.  There is usually space to sit on the curbs as the procession is very slow, or the cafes will be in full swing.  Very colourful event, great for photographers.

The song: the town authorities have put a tutorial online so we can all practise the Canaval song ! …….http://www.aixenprovence.fr/Carnaval-d-Aix-le-24-avril-2016