Paris 2024 Olympics: African art, Brazilian dance, fan meetings… the heart of the world beats at La Villette

Rencontre de supporters mais aussi d’artistes mêlant leur culture et le sport, comme ici la Sud-Africaine Leobohang. Midi Libre – Richard Gougis

The Parc des Nations, an international village desired by the Games organizing committee, brings together the “landmarks” of celebration of many delegations. A place for meetings and cultural discoveries.

Around the Halle de La Villette, where Club France continues to beat to the crazy rhythm of our medals, another universe extends. House of Serbia, Brazil, Mongolia, India. Festive landmarks of a dozen delegations that invite a mix of colors and cultures in echo of the five continents embodied by the Olympic rings.

The idea of ​​this international village, a first during the Olympic Games, is precisely “that the entire public can have a special experience, experience universalism, discover the culture of different countries”, summarizes Delphine Moulin, the director of the Paris 2020 Celebrations.

“The feeling of being somewhere else”

Strolling through this Park of Nations is the certainty of coming across an impromptu concert of African music at nightfall, an improbable fraternization between Serbian and Brazilian supporters, all spiced up with a few surprising culinary discoveries. A polo asado, grilled chicken with cassava, at the house of Colombia, accompanied of course by a coffee from there.

The house of India, among those that attract the most attention. Midi Libre – Richard Gougis

Coming from Eure-et-Loir with Vincent, Marie enjoys South American music with an accordion touch. It's a change of scenery and really gives the impression of being somewhere other than Paris,”, she smiles.

Yves, a forty-year-old who works right next to the Park, said "that it would be a shame not to take the opportunity to come. I don't regret it, it's quite good natured."

Unexpected showcase for artists from around the world

In the South African House, an exhibition invites you to discover Zulu art in all its forms. Costumes, jewelry, and those funny disheveled webs from Leobohang. The young woman, an artist in Johannesburg, immortalizes busts of local Olympic stars, such as hockey player Onthatille Zulu before adding braids that look real.

"People like it because it’s original, she smiles.Coming here to Paris, invited by my country's Olympic committee, is an unexpected showcase, even if I'm leaving tomorrow…" On a screen, a film celebrates 30 years of democracy and freedom in the shadow of Nelson Mandela.

390 euros to enter the Americans'

In front of the Brazilian house, Anaïs, a tourist from Toulouse, regrets not being able to enter: "You have to register in advance, get a QR code, it's sometimes a bit complicated. Not to mention Canada, which charges 30 euros for entry, which is downright dissuasive.” But nothing compared to the 390 euros charged by the Americans. At that price, it's like a very private club despite the “all inclusive”.

Mya, a Reunionese who lives in Seine-Saint-Denis, will be able to join the Cariocas. And for good reason, she is one of the dancers recruited by the Brazilian Olympic Committee. “I'm pretty good at samba and other Brazilian dances so they selected me, but don't tell anyone I'm not Brazilian…"

A samba that's a bit… Reunionese

Suddenly, the authenticity of the place takes a hit. Enough to raise questions about the origin of our Colombian chicken. But Mya challenges us on another subject: “You can write that the French Olympic Committee could highlight traditional overseas dances in its events, such as Maloya from Réunion, which have been completely forgotten.”

A celebration of athletes, at the France club, to the tune of Maloya ? We're not against it because, honestly, at the rate at which the roosters – very French ones – are winning medals, 15 days of the Gala hit will quickly become tiring.

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