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made the CdA their choice |
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Jean-Louis
Foulquier
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First of all, I've never forgotten
the playgrounds of my childhood, the rue du Palais where I grew up, St-Jean d'Acre, which wasn't yet converted into
a parking area.
We played for hours in the unkempt gardens and run-down sheds in the shipyards. I left when I was 18. Once I had my own children, I returned here regularly. I wanted them to have the same sense I did of belonging to a native land, La Rochelle and Ré Island, of course, but also the whole region, in all its diversity. I like to walk along the Marans canal as I did with my father.
I like to visit Brouage and the "Green Venice" marshlands, the Saintonge area. Everywhere here, there's a climate, a history ...
In a way, the idea of creating the Francofolies,
a francophone song festival, was
linked to that history,
boats carrying emigrants to the New World.
Moreover,this is a dynamic conurbation.
While making my radio programmes, I visit many middle-size cities and can assure you there are few places with as much night life. Now, with the University, it's a young city, you can really feel it.
One day, we left Paris. We moved the Francofolies headquarters to La Rochelle and decided to organize everything from here,
the Festival and our actions during the year - "Chantier des Francos", "Enfants de la Zique".
We staked our bet that it was possible, and we were right.
Life is so much better here ! |
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