He does not yet know exactly in what form, but the Nice Carnival “will take place from February 11 to 27”, assured Christian Estrosi on Tuesday, specifying that it could take place “without a corso”, the traditional parades of floats. . While the holding of the event, shortened in 2020 and canceled last year, had been in question since the government announced new restrictions, the mayor wanted to make things clear.
After meeting with the local federations of hoteliers and restaurateurs, who rely heavily on the event at this time of the year, the elected representative also specified that “several formulas were being studied” and “that a team was put in place in conjunction with the ARS and the prefecture ”to determine the best scenario.
On the Menton side, where the Lemon Festival is also eagerly awaited, the municipality has for its part already clarified things. “The corsos and the gardens of lights, which are the subject of a very strong crowd, are canceled in order to avoid an excessive concentration of spectators strongly discouraged in this period of pandemic”, she indicates in a press release. , specifying that she intended to “maintain the spirit” of the event with, in particular, “the exhibition of citrus fruit motifs in the Biovès gardens”.
“I will not take any major risk”
In Nice, according to the town hall, many options are still on the table. Grandstands split up to limit the gauges, shows in rooms with seats… “But in any case, it will not be carnival as we knew it during its last edition, in 2020. I will not take any major risk . There will be a reasonable and reasoned event policy. There may not be a corso at all, he also warned. It could simply be a carnival of presentation of the works of our artists in connection with our inscription in the world heritage of Unesco. “
In all cases, the mayor of Nice has indicated that the “health or vaccination pass will be required at the entrances”. “This is what allows us to be able to announce today the maintenance of the event”, said Christian Estrosi, specifying “moreover to be extremely favorable to the vaccine pass”.