“I start the day after tomorrow!” They came to seek their happiness at the Antigone des associations, in Montpellier

Un public encore une fois nombreux venu s’intéresser à la culture, au sport, au social… Midi Libre – DORIAN CAYUELA

Du Nombre-d’Or à la place de l’Europe, 900 stands ont composé la 44e édition de l’Antigone des associations. L’occasion de demander aux uns et autres le pourquoi de leur présence.

1pm, this Sunday at the Antigone des associations, Bruno, from Bruno Pizza, avenue de l'Agriculture, has his head buried in his schedule. With his partner, they no longer have the children at home and he now has his Tuesday evening free. His dream is to do theater. Bingo. "I've looked through the whole square of theater associations. I've selected four. I'm going to try them on Tuesdays in September. I'm starting the day after tomorrow!” Bruno found what he was looking for among the 900 associations, divided by theme: culture, sport, health, social, education…

Côme and Aurélien dressed as Knights of the Order of the Four Winds. That’s more than 20 kg in helmet and chainmail for Aurélien. Midi Libre – DORIAN CAYUELA

In the middle of the crowd, Aurélien and Côme don’t go unnoticed. Smiles, selfies, checks, they have their little notoriety. It must be said that with their Knights of the Order of the Four Winds outfit and between twenty and thirty kilos of chain mail on their backs and helmets on their heads, they attract attention. “It's sport!”, jokes Aurélien.” Côme: “The children mostly say hello, it's the parents who ask us for photos, and the grannies too!” They are there to promote their association and look for… fighters. Not for competitions but for shows. It works? Aurélien actually got to know the association here last year.

Monique, Marie-Jo and Genéviève have their stand for “Les pains de l’espoir”. They especially hope to have convinced volunteers. Dorian Cayuela – Midi Libre

Place de l'Europe, dedicated to sports, the Montpellier Badminton club stand is more discreet, but warm. Guillaume welcomes the public with pleasure. “Our target is mainly young people and those over 60.” Recruitment is going rather well, the club is benefiting from the post-Olympic period. “We have benefited from great exposure." This is not the case for Pains de l'espoir, but the association has a good location, right in the middle of the passage, Place de Thessalie. “People ask us if they can bring us their old croutons but we are looking for volunteers”, explains Marie-Jo, the president. The association collects old bread, dries it and sells it to farmers. The profits are then redistributed to victims of natural disasters around the world. And to collect the bread, they are more likely to reach out to professionals, restaurateurs and the like.

Mylvia Houguet, deputy mayor in charge of community life: this meeting is “essential for the life of the city”. Midi Libre – DORIAN CAYUELA

In short, this Antigone of associations is for some the opportunity to find their happiness, and also offers for others the opportunity to make themselves known… "Last year, 100,000 people came, appreciates the elected official in charge of associations, Mylvia Houguet. It is the meeting place of associations and essential for the life of the city."

The start of the school year is behind us. Everyone can now go about their (new) activities or welcome their new members.