Pescalune 2024: A morning marked by joy, sharing and traditions

The keys to the City were handed over by Mayor Pierre Soujol and municipal councilor Marie Papaïx to Sylvette Farneti for the La Cocarde bullfighting club. M.R.

Arlesian tradition was also in the spotlight on the opening day of La Pescalune. M.R.

The Provençal mass was celebrated within the grounds of Jean-Hugo Park. M.R.

Provençal mass, handing over of the keys to the city, parade and abrivado, show, concerts… The first day of Pescalune 2024 kept its promises.

A start with a bang. That's it, Pescalune 2024 is launched. In the streets of Lunel, the atmosphere was already festive for the opening of the festivities this Saturday, July 13.

On this first day, Provençal mass, handing over of the keys to the City, parade, bandido and abrivado, show for the little ones (read above) and concerts from the Lunel Ose festival (read below) were on the program.< /p>

And what could be better than traditions to kick off this week ? In this sense, the first bulls made their appearance, the Arlesiennes were out and about Coupo Santo covered in chorus by Jean-Hugo.

An essential summer break

In the park, a Provençal mass was celebrated at 9 a.m., to open the Pescalune. This ceremony of approximately one hour ended with the usual distribution of bread after all the prayers.

"With Pescalune, the city opens to celebration, joy and sharing, recalled Mayor Pierre Soujol. It’s an intergenerational moment where we live in our traditions. It's the return of the bull king, who finds his summer break."

This is indeed the case since it was the bullfighting club La Cocarde which was given the keys to the City by the mayor, around 11 a.m. . Since its creation in 1913, the club has defended and perpetuated regional traditions by participating in all events offered by the municipality or Maestria Production.

Arlésiennes et gardians

Following the Provençal mass, Sylvette Farneti, the president of La Cocarde, took possession of the keys to nearly 4 kg, which she will be responsible for until the last hours of the festive week.

In her speech of thanks, she made a point of saying a few words about the week to come: “La Pescalune is a great time for reunions and conviviality for young and old. I have no doubt that his enticing program will satisfy the greatest number."

The aficionados and festejaïres were then able to enjoy, on the Baroncelli alley, a parade composed of musicians, peñas, Arlesiennes in costume, Amazons and guardians.

A colorful spectacle

Other associations, from the Alpilles to Montpellier via Marsillargues, completed this colorful spectacle. And since the regional tradition goes hand in hand with bullfighting events, four abrivado, offered by the Aubanel, Chaballier, du Levant and Lafon manades, followed.

This Sunday, July 14, they will also be the ones to host the local and national festival. Enough to delight the few attrapaïres already in the starting blocks.

Until Sunday, July 21, the people of Lunell will transform the “metro, work, sleep” into “aperitif, horses, bulls”, as the parade announcer laughed.