| Provence Traditional
celebrations |
 |
|
|
|
As the historical capital of Provence, Aix perpetuates the ancestral
ways and customs around public festivals and family celebrations. This
culture joyfully blends tradition and modern creativity to establish
an identity, that of Aix and more largely that of Provence.
|
| Christmas in
Provence |
|
|
|
|
|
Christmas in Provence is a privileged time, a
close family celebration. From Sainte Barbe (the 4th of December)
until Candlemas (the 2nd of February) this long calendar period
is an opportunity to relive a part of Provençal culture
preserved around the nativity scene and santons (nativity figures),
the midnight mass, the pastoral and epiphany.
On this occasion, Aix weds the cultural events and commercial promotion of its
magnificently decorated town centre.The nativity figure (santon) fair, preceded
by the mass of the nativity figure makers on the last Sunday in November or the
first of December in the Saint Jean du Faubourg church, inaugurates the festivities.After
this come the traditional nativity scenes, the fervour of the midnight masses
and the Maurel pastoral. Created in 1842 by Antoine Maurel, this is a lively
theatre where the actors replay the nativity story in the Provençal dialect.This
is also a time for animated markets, gift boutiques, pastries and other sweetmeats
which will allow you to compose the 13 symbolic desserts of Christmas's "gros
souper" (literally "big supper").
| The Magi |
|
|
|
|
Another main feature of the Christmas festivity season,
the Magi, are honoured The procession of the Magi
is a religious festivity.The procession
files through the town with its cortege of characters in traditional
Provençal costume.
|
|
|
Drummers, shepherds, grinders and other small traders
accompany them to the Saint Sauveur (Holy Saviour) Cathedral, where
the "procession of the Magi" proper takes place. During
Epiphany the Aix pastries offer your taste buds a gourmet pleasure.
This is nothing but the "king's cake" of Couronne.
It is a brioche covered in preserved fruits which hides a much sought
after lucky charm and a little figurine.Tradition requires that this.
| The
Carnival |
|
|
|
|
|
|
A party of colour and cavalcade,
Aix gives worthy celebration to His Majesty Carnival.
Prepared with children from the schools and town associations,
a great carnival procession is held on the Cours Mirabeau
in
the month of March, gathering the locals and visitors around the
numerous floats and giant "Grosses Têtes"- Big heads...
|
|
|
