Rennes (AFP)
The Brest maritime festivals, which showcase hundreds of old rigs from all countries, initially scheduled for July 2020 but canceled due to the health crisis, will not be able to take place before 2024, the organizer announced Thursday. .
The Brest Nautical Events association, created by the Brest metropolis to organize these festivals, indicates in a press release that it "has taken the decision to organize the next edition of the Brest International Maritime Festivals in July 2024".
"While it was hoped for a quick return to normal when the decision was taken to cancel the Brest 2020 edition for force majeure, there are still many unknowns today," explains the association.
Usually and in a stable context, two years minimum are necessary to organize these festivals which bring together more than 1,000 boats from all over the world and more than 115,000 people per day.
"While it would be necessary to incur significant organizational expenses for an edition in 2022, it is clear that the current situation and the months to come does not allow, without taking an ill-considered risk, to 'ensure the sustainability of the Maritime Festivals ", assures Brest Evénement Nautiques.
The cost of canceling the 2020 edition was 1.8 million euros, the organizers stress.
In February 2020, more than 650 boats had already responded to come and parade in July in Brest.
From 2021 however, initiatives "likely to support the economic activity of heritage boats" will be taken, indicates the association.
Thus, some of these boats should be present in Brest this summer for 4 to 5 weeks, and even more significantly in 2022 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Maritime Festival.
The Fêtes maritimes internationales de Brest, of which the 2020 edition was to be the 8th, usually takes place every four years and attracts some 700,000 visitors.
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