With the contribution of the city to the musicians of the Band’a Part, the city of Condom was transformed into a grand stage for all the groups who came from all over France, as well as from Spain, Belgium, and Mexico, to set the festive tone until Sunday evening.
One year. One year the city had been waiting for this. That slightly magical moment when Condom trades its small-town provincial costume for the larger, more colorful one of the capital of banda music. This Friday evening, the magic happened once again on the square in front of the town hall, in the presence of a very large audience, eager to reconnect with the festive and musical communion that the Bandas Festival has been offering for 53 years now.
Taking advantage of one of those long May weekends, festival-goers did not wait for the arrival of the bandas or the official opening of the event to enjoy the city, savoring a beautiful sunny day between setting up tents at the campsite, breaks at the bars, and discovering the best spots.
The season of festivals has begun, with visitors already immersing themselves in the festive atmosphere of the event. The town’s walkways were filled with people in the afternoon, eagerly awaiting the start of the festivities in the presence of numerous authorities. Speeches given, it was time for the crowd dressed in red and white to engage in the traditional Paquito dance across the spacious Condom promenades.
The return of the Grand Paquito was welcomed with enthusiasm by festival-goers of all ages, who joyfully participated in the dance. The spirit of the Bandas Festival had already settled in the city on Friday, welcomed by the friendly atmosphere.
The festivities will continue until Sunday evening, with hundreds of musicians taking over the town center to engage with the public and compete for the titles in the general competition. Bands from all over France, as well as from Belgium, Spain, and Mexico, are expected to participate in the race for the Palme d’Or, the highest title of the competition.
The opening night of the festival was marked by concerts on the main stage, setting the tone for the weekend of music and celebrations.
