Lionel Gougelot (in Lille), edited by Solène Leroux 2:21 p.m., February 08, 2022

The Dunkirk carnival is again canceled due to the high incidence rate in the North.

Yet another disappointment for carnival-goers, for the second consecutive year.

And a blow for the local economy and local charities, which benefit from donations from carnival associations.

As a result of Covid-19, the Dunkirk carnival is once again cancelled.

This is the second consecutive year.

In Dunkirk, where the health situation is very worrying, with an incidence rate close to 4,000 positive cases per 100,000 inhabitants, this is another big disappointment for carnival associations.

Ten days before the grand ball of the Corsairs, one of the highlights of the carnival, the carnival-goers were still hoping for a small miracle.

But the northern prefecture dashed the last hopes yesterday.

All the festivities, balls and other parades, which were to follow one another until mid-March in the agglomeration, are canceled.

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A blow for the regulars.

“We were marinated a little, to finally tell us that it was not possible, knowing that the restrictions outside were lifted”, regrets Pascal Bonne, drum major of the band of fishermen in Dunkirk.

He deplores a decision which deprives the carnival-goers of their sacred meeting, while "the discotheques will reopen": "When we see the stadiums full to bursting, when we see the Nice carnival which is going to take place, we are entitled to ask questions", he sighs at the microphone of Europe 1.

Optimistic for next year

He also admits that the health situation does not play in favor of maintaining it: "The incidence rate is still high, it is people's health that takes precedence."

Optimist, Pascal Bonne affirms that "the carnival is not dead", and that "we must keep hope, keep our spirits up, above all".

"Our reunion will only be better," he concludes, resilient.

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In the meantime, it is also a disappointment for the hotel and catering industry and event companies.

And a new shortfall for the local economy, just like the charities which benefit each year from hundreds of thousands of euros in donations from carnival associations.

The prefecture and elected officials also ask residents not to organize festivities in private at home.

This is called "making a chapel" in Dunkirk, during carnival time.

Potential gatherings that could only promote the spread of the virus.