Festival-goers and mutuaIist activists meet on a weekend as part of the “Les Solidarités” and “VYV les Solidarités” festivals in Belgium and France. The success of these musical events proves that music is a powerful driver of mobilisation around the values of solidarity.
Festival-goers and mutuaIist activists meet on a weekend as part of the “Les Solidarités” and “VYV les Solidarités” festivals in Belgium and France. The success of these musical events proves that music is a powerful driver of mobilisation around the values of solidarity.
Committed artists and citizens mobilising around questions of citizenship
Music brings people together. While access to culture is a defence against inward looking attitudes, a festival is also a special moment for celebration of living together: in harmony with their values, mutualist actors provide musical events with tools for sharing and social innovation.
This year, at the Les Solidarités (Belgium) and VYV Les Solidarités (France) festivals, music brought together artistic performances and campaign activities. What was the concept behind these events? A family and people’s celebration, combining a musical programme with committed artists as well as moments of sharing with entertainment, conferences and debates on citizen-related topics such as engagement, sustainable development, education and nutrition.
Promoting solidarity through music from Belgium to France
On 23, 24 and 25 August 2019, the 7th edition of the Festival les Solidarités was held at the Citadel of Namur (Belgium). Socialist mutual Solidaris Is the initiator of Les Solidarités. With almost 50,000 people gathered on a weekend, Les Solidarités brings people together and constructs meeting points between citizens through music. In addition to tens of concerts, participants can enjoy activities with the Children’s City, street performances, an animated associative village, and debates on topical subjects. 30% cheaper than the average of other events in the sector, Les Solidarités is also an accessible family event which contributes to democratising access to culture.
Inspired by the festival Les Solidarités de Namur in Belgium, the first edition of the VYV Les Solidarités festival was held on 8 and 9 June 2019 in Dijon (France). Thierry Beaudet, president of the 1st mutualist social protection group VYV and festival organiser, was delighted with the success of this first edition which gathered 20,000 participants and mobilised 350 volunteers. Around forty associations which are active in the arena of solidarity united for the mutualist initiative. Between the concerts of various genres of artists, the audience participated in different activities on the topics of health and prevention, sustainable development, human rights, including conferences, exhibitions and games.
The next Les Solidarités festivals will take place the 13 and 14 June in Dijon and from 28 to 30 August 2020 in Namur.
Photo credits Brice Robert
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