With the delivery of the city keys to the musicians of the Band’a Part, the town of Condom has turned into a grand stage for all the groups from across France, as well as from Spain, Belgium, and Mexico, who will set the festive tone until Sunday evening.
It has been a year. A year that the city has been waiting for this moment. This somewhat magical moment when Condom exchanges its small-town attire for the larger and more colorful outfit of a banda music capital.
On Friday evening, the magic once again took place on the square in front of the town hall, in the presence of a large audience eagerly anticipating the return of this festive and musical communion that the Bandas Festival has been offering for 53 years now.
The festival season is officially launched with this long weekend in May, where festival-goers didn’t wait for the bandas or the official opening of the event to immerse themselves in the city, enjoying a sunny day setting up tents at the campsite, taking breaks at the bars, and securing the best spots.
Always increasing in numbers on the promenades, the audience gathered in front of the town hall in the late afternoon to witness the start of the festivities, alongside numerous dignitaries present for the occasion.
From the president of the organizing association, Gilles Boyer, to the prefect of Gers, Alain Castanier, passing through the mayor Jean-François Sabathier, the president of the department, Philippe Dupouy, Muriel Abadie for the Occitanie region, and David Taupiac, deputy of the constituency, all praised the work of volunteers and security services to ensure the quality of a festival that marks the beginning of the festival season in the department.
After the speeches were concluded, it was time for the crowd in red and white to participate in the first “Paquito” of the weekend on the vast promenades of Condom.
The return of the Grand Paquito was celebrated with a high participation of festival-goers of all ages who joyfully joined in the dance.
Festival-goers will be able to keep up with the rhythm until Sunday evening, surrounded by hundreds of musicians who have taken over the heart of the city to connect with the public and compete for the titles in the general contest from Saturday afternoon, aiming for the coveted “Palme d’Or.”
With bands from across France, as well as from Belgium, Spain, and this year, Mexico, the competition is expected to be fierce in the race for the “Palme d’Or,” the ultimate title of the competition.
