After two blank years, Viva Cité is regaining all its colors and attracting many visitors despite very uncertain weather. The festivities continue on Sunday June 26, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“My children find that Viva Cité is better than Christmas! », laughs Farah de Filippis, Sottevillaise and unconditional of the street arts festival which is held this weekend in Sotteville-lès-Rouen. “We like everything, the shows, the family atmosphere, the sharing with our children, our friends and the other Sottevillais…”, assures the festival-goer. Saturday, June 25 in the afternoon, the aisles were not filled, the fault of the weather probably, and the two blank years due to the health crisis. But, in 2022, Viva Cité has every intention of reconnecting with the tradition of a major festival popular with street performance enthusiasts. Moreover, the crowd presses around the artists who perform.
Lady Cocktail show video
On the other hand, the rain soaked some floors and apparatus, forcing some artists to cancel performances. This is particularly the case of the Lady Cocktail company which had to give up presenting its show To Bee Queenscheduled for Saturday at 1:30 p.m. “But we will try to stall another”slips the artist to a disappointed spectator.
When art talks about us
No disappointment, however, for Josiane Proust and Jean-Claude Bisotto, who traveled from Dieppe to take advantage of the moment. It must be said that the Dieppois is also coordinator of the cultural association Art/e. “It was the lady who selected a first show with feminist acrobats [
“Prouver deux fois plus” de la compagnie In Fine, NDLR]. It was superb, very beautiful. At the same time political, historical, artistic… And it is really topical! »
The show of the company Titanos in video
At the wooden games, Alexandra has fun with her 4.5-year-old daughter. It is his 18-year-old son, who works at the toy library, who runs the stand. “I have been coming since 2003. I was pregnant with my son and today he is working on the festival”, laughs the resident of Criqueboeuf. “These are always quality shows, which talk about daily problems, but with a lot of poetry. We have not made a program, we will be surprised! »
In practice
The Viva Cité festival is held all over the city center of Sotteville-lès-Rouen. Many shows are concentrated in the Bois de la Garenne. Not easy to park there, it is best to get there by metro or by taking the F3 and get off at the Hôtel de Ville stop. The first show begins at 11 a.m., with The town of the obstinate cat of the Blöffique Théâtre company. More than seventy shows will follow until 9 p.m.
Many catering outlets are provided on site. The programme, in paper version, is available at the various entrances to the Bois de la Garenne. And the digital version is available on the city’s website www.sotteville-les-rouen.fr
.