The organizers of the Avignon Festival, one of the most important theatrical gatherings in the world, announced the cancellation of its 74th session, due to the spread of the "Covid-19" epidemic, after it was scheduled between the third and 32 of next July.
The organizers said in a statement: "The circumstances are no longer available to organize the 74th session after listening to what the President of the Republic said."
Yesterday, Emmanuel Macron pointed out that it is impossible to hold festivals at least before mid-July. Festival director, Olivier B, and its managing director, Paul Rondin, added: “We have preserved hope as much as possible, but the situation is imposing yet another scenario. It is now our duty to preserve the future of the Avignon Festival. Avignon attracts around 700,000 visitors every July. The festival secures revenues of around 100 million euros for the city.
The cancellation is expected to be disastrous for thousands of artists and technicians, including many temporary workers.
Since its foundation in 1947, the festival was canceled once in 2003 due to disputes with temporary workers. The activities of the "Avignon" festival transformed the streets of the French city, which is considered "the capital of the theater" par excellence, into a large theater in the month of July every year. It is noteworthy that last year's festival was opened by the play "Architect", in which stars from the French theater participated. The play was exhibited in the courtyard of honor at the Palace of the Popes, which witnessed the birth of the festival in 1947. The play Pascal Rambert, one of the most widespread French theater writers in the world, tells the story of a family of artists, philosophers and musical compositions torn in a metaphor about Europe.
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A thousand visitors were attracted by the festival, which is considered one of the most important international theatrical gatherings.