From Alès, the Fous chantants continue their solidarity “singing week” project in Senegal

Fabrice Schwingrouber, directeur artistique des Fous chantants, fait partie de l’équipe impliquée dans le projet. Midi Libre – Paul Barraud

l'essentiel Un projet humanitaire, créé avec une association de Saint-Jean-du-Pin, veut faire porte le festival choral dans un village africain.

Transport the spirit of the Fous chantants d’Alès beyond borders, and to help others. This is one of the projects carried out by the "Fous", including Fabrice Schwingrouber, its artistic director.

During the 2023 edition, the festival took advantage of the concert with Jean-Louis Aubert to present Africa Chœur, a project built with Solidarité Sénégal, an association based in Saint-Jean-du-Pin.

Build an amphitheater

"We needed an association that knew of a place that we could help,” specifies the artistic director. A long-term adventure, which has already materialized through the first trips there. The idea: go to Djilacoune, a village in the southwest of Senegal, not far from the banks of the Casamance, to eventually build an amphitheater there.

"You have to expect something simple", continues Fabrice Schwingrouber. The structure, still being developed on plans, should be made of concrete, less expensive and more durable given the conditions achievable on site. "But we met many young people there who dream of having a place to produce numerous artistic projects.

Among these projects is, naturally, singing. During a previous trip, the "Fous" noticed talents among the residents. In parallel with the construction project, the team plans, on All Saints' Day 2025, to bring on board around fifty volunteer choristers, ready to invest in the project, in order to develop, on site "a singing week" which would culminate in a show in the new building. "We are going to start identifying people, among the choristers, who could get involved."

Actions to finance

A mix of European and Senegalese singers, the show could, in the long term, continue a long collaboration between Djilacoune and Alès. "What would be fabulous would be to then be able to bring some of these Senegalese singers to our country, hopes Fabrice Schwingrouber. On the stage of the Alès arenas, it would be fantastic! We're not there yet, but we're going to do everything to!"

In order to continue to make this project real, which has a cost – the construction of the amphitheater is, to date, estimated at 30,000 euros; – Les Fous chantants and Solidarité Senegal are organizing a raffle this week for the public. Tickets (2 €) will be on sale during the concerts with Vianney, Friday 26 and Saturday 27 July. For participants, the prize to be won will be, moreover, a trip to Senegal.