Feria d’Alès: the morning blessing of Mgr Nicolas Brouwet, under a beautiful Provençal sun

magictr | May 9, 2024 | Health | No Comments

Traditions and religion come together for the feria in the heart of Alès. Midi Free – ALEXIS BETHUNE

Traditions et religion se retrouvent, pour la feria, au coeur d'Alès. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

La messe provençale lance ce deuxième jour de feria de l’Ascension, dans un jardin public de la capitale des Cévennes.

The earliest revelers, those who have faith, have an appointment to begin the day of Ascension Thursday, in the public garden of the Bosquet. There, the traditional Provençal mass is celebrated, said by Father Michel Hierle and presided over by Mgr Nicolas Brouwet, bishop of Nîmes, Uzès and Alès. Thus, from 9 a.m. and under the sun, the office is held in the presence of some 500 people, among whom are personalities such as Max Roustan, the Alesian councilor, Christophe Rivenq, the president of the Agglo, and Pierre Meurin, the deputy for the fourth constituency of Gard. As usual, texts and songs resound in the Southern language, with the help of the Voix Provençales choir.

The herdsmen line up below Fort Vauban

At the end of the mass, after the bishop wishes them "a beautiful feria, a beautiful celebration in Alès", the flock is informed: "The horses are arriving…" The animals from the seven herds called to participate in the abrivados competition which will follow then take their place, aligned with their herdsmen, below Fort Vauban. It is 10:30 a.m. and Mgr Brouwet proceeds to bless them. Then comes the time for the performance of Luca Lombardo and Élisabeth Aubert, tenor and soprano respectively.

The Provencal parade can begin

In the process, everyone leaves the public garden to form the Provençal parade which leads the manadiers, and the public, to Place Gabriel-Péri, where the competition takes place. The Los Picos Tachos peña opens the march with fanfare. Followed in its wake by the Misses' carriage, then Provençal dancers and musicians, in traditional outfits. The painting is sumptuous. This second day of festivities is well and truly launched…