The Carnival of Nantes in history? After two years of absence due to the health context, the revelers will make their big comeback this Sunday afternoon. Alongside the preparation of the floats, the members of the Nemo association are also working behind the scenes to include the Carnival of Nantes in the inventory of intangible cultural heritage in France. In France, only that of Granville has been registered there, since 2016. “There is the question of knowing where we come from to better know what the carnival of tomorrow will be”, indicates Paul Billaudeau, president of the Nemo association.
To carry out this project, the members of Nemo have launched a major memory collection among the people of Nantes. Archives, photos, films, interviews… All the testimonies collected allow revelers to better understand the evolution of this event in the City of the Dukes, and therefore to work on its future. The daughter of Aimé Delrue, this figure of laughter who had notably contributed to reviving the carnival, brought her memories of her father and of this Nantes festival.
Take up the torch from the big heads
Great witnesses, revelers or inhabitants contribute to this collection work. “We are in the process of building up the richness of our history! enthused Paul Billaudeau. Because behind this heritage, the Carnival intends to perpetuate the tradition with future generations in Nantes. “For example, the idea is to bring young people to make big heads, which are a specificity of Nantes”. This know-how is maintained by only one reveler today.
And if such an event is brought to be registered with the inheritance, it is well so that it continues to live. “The carnival of tomorrow must open up to the people, to the neighbourhoods. Today, we have tanks that are perhaps too sophisticated to bring people back with us. It’s important to get back to simplicity”, indicates the president of Nemo. A file for inclusion in the cultural heritage of France will be submitted by next summer. A response should be provided by the end of the year. On March 18, the City of the Dukes was named European capital of carnivals for 2023. Already a great recognition. In the meantime, Nantes revelers will find their audience this Sunday, then Wednesday April 6 and Saturday April 9.