Coronavirus: "Give us a party", 6,500 people parade in Marseille for the carnival of the Plain -

20 Minutes

  • This Sunday was organized in Marseille the 21st edition of the carnival of La Plaine.

  • This militant and political carnival was held despite the coronavirus epidemic.

  • The 6,500 participants according to the police headquarters marched to claim a right to the party.

A fanfare which shouts out on rhythmic music.

Thousands of Marseillais, often young, dancing, beer in hand and a broad smile on their lips that no surgical mask conceals.

It intertwines, it wriggles on the place Jean-Jaurès, in the heart of Marseille, n this sunny Sunday.

Canceled last year for the first time in its existence in full confinement, the La Plaine carnival brought together nearly 6,500 Marseillais this Sunday, nearly twice as many as in the previous edition in 2019. Carnival-goers determined to so that the coronavirus does not come to play the spoilsport of this 21st edition.

This militant carnival is organized each year by citizen groups to celebrate spring and to voice political and social demands, without ever being declared to the authorities.

And this year, after months of the coronavirus epidemic, closed bars and curfews, a new demand has emerged: that of the right to party.

Thousands of Marseillais marched during the carnival of La Plaine, despite the health context - Mathilde Ceilles / 20 Minutes

"I want to be in a club"

"I want to be in a club," can one read on a sign.

A little further on, a young girl parades with, on her mask, a clear inscription: "Give us back the chug".

“We miss the party,” explains Antonia.

There are enough of all these liberticidal laws, this policy full of inconsistency in my opinion.

We fill trains, and I, who work as a dancer in a company, are prevented from working.

It's scandalous.

It's nice to be together under this beautiful sun, to celebrate spring.

There are all the ingredients for a great day!

"

Between two songs, a musician shouts: “Don't forget to party!

It is important !

Haifa sways to the rhythm of the percussions.

"It's been so long since we last listened to a concert like that, live," she enthuses.

We live again "" They told us to confine us all outside, quips Fred.

Well, here we are, we listen to them!

"" I do not feel irresponsible to participate in this carnival, because I do not believe that it is the people who are responsible for this pandemic and its management ", tackles Clara.

"I haven't seen so many people for almost four months"

Perched on a small wall to better see the thick crowd that offers itself to her, Malo and Anaïs cannot believe it.

The two girlfriends, originally from Paris, have come to confine themselves to Marseille and live there their first carnival of La Plaine.

"I haven't seen so many people for nearly four months," Anaïs notes with a touch of bitterness.

That's crazy.

"Frankly, it's heartwarming to be able to party, abounds Malo.

Finally being able to participate in something that brings us all together!

"

An enthusiasm that does not share the police headquarters of Bouches-du-Rhône.

“No declaration in the prefecture, no masks, no physical distancing, annoys the prefect in a tweet.

Total irresponsibility of the participants in the La Plaine carnival in the midst of a health crisis.

"" We carry out checks around the procession, especially on the wearing of masks and offenders will be fined, "said the prefecture to AFP.

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  • Covid 19

  • Marseilles

  • Carnival

  • Party

  • Coronavirus