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PRESS KIT
PRESS KIT
Rendez-vous à la cathédrale 2016 – Press contact : Claire BEAURUEL – Tourist office of Bayeux Intercom
Tél : +33(0)2.31.51.28.24 – [email protected] – www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com 1
PRESS RELEASE An artistic and technical prowess! Since 2014, more than 60,000 people saw the new version of the popular evening show Rendez-vous à la
cathédrale “The Lights of Liberty”. This success led the Bayeux Intercom Tourist Office to renew the show-event in
2016. The tree of liberty and the cathedral will therefore continue this year to adorn a thousand lights throughout
the summer! Directed by the company Spectaculaires, Allumeurs d’images, a world leading company in the field
of monumental projections, this show is a journey to the heart of Liberty!
Liberty, a strong value in Bayeux
Historic gateway to the D-Day Beaches area, first town to be liberated in 1944,
Bayeux is also the guardian of the famous Tapestry and has been hosting the Prix
Bayeux Calvados for War Correspondents since its creation in 1994... Bayeux is
therefore a coherent venue for the show « Rendez-vous à la cathédrale », centred
on liberty. The Place de la Liberté, the surrounding buildings, the cathedral and the
two-hundred-year-old tree offer an ideal location for the artistic creation of the
company Spectaculaires, creator of the event.
A stone facade and a plane tree used as screens
Planted in 1797, the Tree of Liberty of Bayeux stands proudly at
the centre of the Place de la Liberté, which, for the occasion,
becomes a theatre in the heart of the medieval city. This 360
degree video mapping, a unique artistic and technical prowess,
is designed to light up the trunk and branches of the tree. The
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, the Allied
landings, the freedom of the press, the freedom to love, and the
symbol of « flower power »... Liberty in Normandy and around
the world is celebrated through short « modules », projected
continuously during the evening (duration of a cycle: 40
minutes). The portraits of Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela
and General de Gaulle are shown alongside the works of Paul Eluard, Mozart and Debussy. In parallel, the cathedral
is adorned with a thousand colours, right to the tip of its highest point, the Lantern Tower.
From July 12 to August 27, 2016 – Free show
On Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays
From dusk to 00.30 a.m.
Tree of Liberty – Cathedral
Rendez-vous à la Cathédrale : key figures
☼ More than 130 000 spectators since 2010, with more than 60 000 for « Les lumières de la Liberté » since 2014
☼ A budget of 150 000 €, 50% of which stems from exterior funds
☼ In 2016, 21 evening shows
« Unique! » « Mind-blowing! » « Amazing! »
Rendez-vous à la cathédrale 2016 – Press contact : Claire BEAURUEL – Tourist office of Bayeux Intercom
Tél : +33(0)2.31.51.28.24 – [email protected] – www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com 2
CONTENTS
« It is when Night prevails that it is fine to believe in the Light », Edmond Rostand
A story of freedom ............................................................................................................ p.3
An unprecedented technological challenge ...................................................................... p.4
The Tree of Liberty, a two hundred year old plane tree ................................................... p.5
The Bayeux cathedral and the beauty of stone ................................................................ p.5
Bayeux, a symbol of freedom ............................................................................................ p.6
Spectaculaires, a world reference ...................................................................................... p.7
They talked about the show .............................................................................................. p.8
The partners of Rendez-vous à la cathédrale ..................................................................... p.9
Practical information ....................................................................................................... p.10
A colourful triptych! ........................................................................................................ p.11
Contacts ........................................................................................................................... p.12
Rendez-vous à la cathédrale 2016 – Press contact : Claire BEAURUEL – Tourist office of Bayeux Intercom
Tél : +33(0)2.31.51.28.24 – [email protected] – www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com 3
A STORY OF FREEDOM
Rendez-vous à la Cathédrale “The Lights of Liberty” is a universal show, for the whole family, of all nationalities,
enriched by a soundtrack and carefully selected images…
The first paid holidays – True ode to
holiday time, a symbol of freedom, this
scene shows alternatively blue and
white bathing costumes, beach huts
and games… On the melody of the song
“Nationale 7”, the resorts of Normandy
welcome holiday makers! Soundtrack:
Nationale 7 by Charles Trenet, covered by
Spectaculaires in Nationale « 13 »
The Liberation of 1944 & the speech by
the General de Gaulle in Bayeux –
After the horror of the D-day landings,
the fighting, fire and desolation comes
the time of release. Projected on the
trunk, the Cross of Lorraine, symbol of
French Resistance, and the speech of
General de Gaulle on 14th
June 1944, in
Bayeux. Soundtrack: Time by Hans
Zimmer & Swing 42 by Django Reinhardt.
▲ The Revolution, the Declaration of
the Rights of Man and of the Citizen –
On March 30th
1797, the Tree of Liberty
is planted in Bayeux... The symbols of
freedom appear successively:
Marianne, tricolour ribbons, and the
Phrygian cap... Soundtrack: Concerto
pour clarinette by Mozart.
▲ I have a dream – Black and white
stripes symbolise the bars of a prison.
Behind them Martin Luther King’s
famous sentence “I HAVE A
DREAM” and other symbols of
freedom such as Mahatma Gandhi,
Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks…
These form a mosaic of faces, in a
colourful scene, previously shown in
black and white. Soundtrack: Kae le
Kae by the Soweto Gospel Choir,
extracts of the Martin Luther King’s
speech.
Flower Power – The “hippie” era with
its utopian ideas is represented in a
highly colourful scene... Hippie
hairstyles, psychedelic sunglasses and
of course the peace and love symbol…
Soundtrack: If you’re going to San
Francisco by Scott McKenzie.
Artistic creation, “in the manner
of...” – is a poetic sequence
inspired by the works of great
artists such as Van Gogh, Klee, Klimt,
Miro, and Monet… The tree first
appears as a sketch and gradually fills
with colour and shapes evoking the
chosen artists. Soundtrack: Senza by
Camille, Circle by Bobby Mc Ferrin.
Liberté by Paul Eluard – A « rainbow »
tree evolves slowly for the duration of
the poem… Soundtrack: Rêverie by
Debussy.
Liberty of the press, the liberty to
inform – To the sound of radio reports,
the tree is covered with international
newspaper reports, which become
stained with ink, crossed out, and
illegible, and censured. Just like a TV
screen, the image blurs, white dots
appear and the image vanishes…
▲ Freedom to love – Hearts pierced
with arrows – the universal symbol of
love – are etched into the bark of the
tree... The light then dims, the tree is
dressed with lace, and undressed, and
appears “naked” in front of spectators,
its bark covered with love messages
and hearts. Soundtrack: Déshabillez-
moi by Juliette Gréco.
Rendez-vous à la cathédrale 2016 – Press contact : Claire BEAURUEL – Tourist office of Bayeux Intercom
Tél : +33(0)2.31.51.28.24 – [email protected] – www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com 4
AN UNPRECEDENTED TECHNOLOGICAL CHALLENGE
Many hours of work were needed in order to dress each vein of the tree and highlight the fine texture of its bark.
Complex techniques were also designed to allow the projection of animated images in the branches and leaves!
Audiovisual columns specially designed for Bayeux
Spectaculaires use eight HD video projectors around the tree. The four-
meter-high towers were specially designed for Bayeux and fit discreetly in
the environment, unnoticed by the public. The columns are made of
aluminium, and contain all the lighting, sound, video and IT equipment,
needed for the projection of the show. Developing the most suitable tools
and investing in research and development is one of Spectaculaires’
missions.
These technical achievements answer several constraints:
DISCRETION (unnoticed by spectators)
BULK (no impact on the circulation of the public)
SECURITY / SOLIDITY (resistance to crowd, circulation, and children)
RESISTANCE (to the wind, thermic dissipation, water-tightness)
PROTECTION (against theft and/or damage)
Advancing technology enables ideas to become real projects
« We had been thinking about this scenic installation for five years but techniques
needed to evolve. In 2014, the anniversary of the Liberation seemed like the perfect
opportunity to propose this show. We created a fusion between light and the tree, like
a technical photosynthesis, both poetic and lyrical! »
Benoit Quéro, Director-Founder of Spectaculaires, Allumeurs d’images
« Current technologies enabled the organisers of “Rendez-vous à la cathédrale”
to give concrete expression to the ideas which had been forming in their minds
for several years. The first edition, in two parts (highlighting of the cathedral /
projection of monumental images on the facade of the Deanery) was such a
success that the Tourist Office decided to place a new order with the company
Spectaculaires for the next challenge: lighting up the place de la Liberté and the
tree in the centre of the square. It is a true work of art which once again awaits spectators. »
Loïc JAMIN, President of the Bayeux Intercom Tourist Office
Rendez-vous à la cathédrale 2016 – Press contact : Claire BEAURUEL – Tourist office of Bayeux Intercom
Tél : +33(0)2.31.51.28.24 – [email protected] – www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com 5
THE TREE OF LIBERTY, A TWO HUNDRED YEAR OLD PLANE TREE
In Bayeux, the Tree of Liberty takes centre stage in the eponymous square, the inner courtyard of the former
Episcopal buildings. At the end of the Revolution in 1793, these religious buildings were seized and became part
of national civil heritage. Today they house the Baron Gérard Art and History Museum (MAHB). A plane tree was
planted in 1797 in the centre of this new place of authority and was called the Tree of Liberty, giving its name to
the square.
Trees of liberty, a small story set amongst a bigger story
Trees were planted as a symbol of freedom during the French
revolution and the revolutions of the 19th century (the first one
was planted in 1790). They quickly became the target of numerous
crimes against the republic; the trees were lacerated with graffiti
(royalist inscriptions), cut or burnt; offences depending on the
evolution of the different regimes in France. Rare were those who
resisted until the end of the 20th century and indeed very few of
these emblems of the revolution exist today. A small number are still in a minority of towns, Bayeux being one of
these. They can also be seen on the coins of 1 and 2 Euros, used by the French in their everyday lives.
« Freedom has its roots in the heart of the nation, like the roots of a tree in the heart of the earth », Victor Hugo
The tree of Liberty in Bayeux, one of the last existing in France
During the revolution in Bayeux a Plane Tree was chosen as a
symbol of liberty. Known for its rapid development (five metres of
growth in 10 years), for its longevity and its resistance to climatic
variations and atmospheric pollution, the Plane tree is a symbol of
life, of growth and strength. It was planted in the centre of the
Place de la Liberté, the inner courtyard of the
former Bishops’ palace in Bayeux, on the 30th
of March 1797. Today, the tree is
distinguished and protected by the label “Remarkable Tree of France” and measures 30
metres high with a trunk of approximately 2 metres in diameter.
THE BAYEUX CATHEDRAL AND THE BEAUTY OF STONE
The Bayeux Cathedral, a gem of Norman architecture, situated in the heart of the
conservation area, remains a major example of religious buildings in Normandy. The
cathedral was consecrated on 14th July 1077, by Bishop Odo of Conteville, in the
presence of his illustrious brother, William the Conqueror, duke of Normandy and king
of England. The Bayeux Tapestry from the Middle Ages was probably intended to be
hung in the cathedral nave.
Rendez-vous à la cathédrale 2016 – Press contact : Claire BEAURUEL – Tourist office of Bayeux Intercom
Tél : +33(0)2.31.51.28.24 – [email protected] – www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com 6
BAYEUX, A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM
Bayeux, the first town liberated in 1944, is a medieval city completely spared from the destruction of war. It is the
guardian of the celebrated Bayeux Tapestry, registered as World Heritage by UNESCO. The city hosts the Prix
Bayeux-Calvados for War Correspondents and is a gateway to the 1944 landing beaches. The city offers the perfect
setting for the show Rendez-vous à la cathédrale “The Lights of Liberty”. Lights on the city, a true symbol of
freedom...
The first town liberated on 7th June 1944
Bayeux was freed on 7th June 1944, the day after the allies landed on the coast of Normandy.
Several days later General de Gaulle came to the capital of the Bessin to make a speech
affirming the presence of French soldiers amongst the troops of the liberation and re-
establishing republican legality on national soil. He entrusted a regional commissioner of the
Republic with the administration of the liberated territories and Bayeux thus became, until
the liberation of Paris the 25th August, the administrative capital of France. The speech by
General de Gaulle on 14th June 1944, gave the square in the centre of the town its present
name, place Général de Gaulle.
The Bayeux Tapestry: a treasure for Humankind
Bayeux Tapestry is one of the rare artefacts listed “Memory of the World” by
UNESCO, open to the public. This thousand-year-old authentic embroidery
takes you back to the days of strongholds and castles. Considered as the
precursor of comic strips, it relates the Epic Adventure of William the
Conqueror, the famous Duke of Normandy, who went to Hastings in 1066 to
seize the throne of England. Its historical value and aesthetic quality continues
to inspire artists and historians from around the world.
Prix Bayeux-Calvados (War Correspondent Prize)
This event is a tribute to war correspondents who, at the risk of their lives, open a window on the world. During the
week: exhibitions, public screenings, book fairs and debates. The closing evening is an opportunity to talk about the
burning issues of the moment, with the many journalists present, and finishes with a Prize-giving ceremony.
Bayeux, gateway to the Landing Beaches
At daybreak on 6th June 1944, the Allies landed on the
Normandy beaches to liberate Europe from the grip of
the Nazi. From that moment, Bessin became the scene
of the military operation “Overlord”. The Battle of
Normandy lasted over 3 months, causing heavy loss in
men. Bessin still shows signs of the terrible conflict.
Today, the historic fighting sites, the war museums and
the military cemeteries are here to remind us, and to
offer a message of peace to young generations. Bayeux, with its central position, has become the gateway to the
Normandy Landing Beaches, attracting visitors wishing to learn about the history of the Landings and the Battle of
Normandy.
Rendez-vous à la cathédrale 2016 – Press contact : Claire BEAURUEL – Tourist office of Bayeux Intercom
Tél : +33(0)2.31.51.28.24 – [email protected] – www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com 7
SPECTACULAIRES, A WORLD REFERENCE
Created in 1987, the company Spectaculaires, Allumeurs d’images offers three fields of expertise within their line
of business: technical concept and artistic creation of cultural and corporate events, and scenic equipment.
Originating from Brittany, “les Allumeurs d’images” are already
renowned for the creation of grandiose shows, which revealed
the architectural wonders of European cities such as Nancy
(opposite), Brussels, Lyon; they enchanted thousands of
spectators all around the world with sensitive and inspired
scenarios, in Brazil, Ukraine or Vietnam.
« Light is life! », Benoit Quéro – Directeur-Fondateur de Spectaculaires
In France, in Brittany and internationally, the company Spectaculaires, Allumeurs d'images like telling stories, and
sublimating moments in time, places or buildings by creating original and poetic shows.
These gatherings, serving as economic leverage, bring people together around a story, a territory, an identity or
quite simply enable them to enjoy a festive occasion.
Examples of creations
Rendez-vous à la cathédrale « The Lights of Liberty » : a poetic weapon
« It is a renewal of frontal projections, an artistic challenge! The subject – liberty – is really very topical. Our
creation is a poetic weapon. » Benoit Quéro, Director-Founder of Spectaculaires, Allumeurs d’images
From top to bottom, and left to right:
- Mosquée Al Majaz, Sharjah Light Festival (Emirats Arabes Unis)
- Illumi’Nantes, Cathédrale de Nantes (France)
- Rendez-vous Bundesplatz, Berne (Suisse)
- Palais de la Réunification - Hô Chi-Minh Ville (Vietnam)
- Au fil de ŁÓdź, Light Move Festival, ŁÓdź (Pologne)
Rendez-vous à la cathédrale 2016 – Press contact : Claire BEAURUEL – Tourist office of Bayeux Intercom
Tél : +33(0)2.31.51.28.24 – [email protected] – www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com 8
online 50 000 copies 10 400 copies
THEY TALKED ABOUT THE SHOW
Report in the TF1 news – Friday 31st July 2015 Report in the FR3 news – Friday 31st July 2015
Average audience: 4,5 millions of viewers Average audience: 130 000 viewers
> see online > see online
Chinese social network online 3,5 millions visitors/months
65 000 copies 32 000 copies 820 000 readers 320 000 readers 60 000 subscribers 30 000 subscribers
Rendez-vous à la cathédrale 2016 – Press contact : Claire BEAURUEL – Tourist office of Bayeux Intercom
Tél : +33(0)2.31.51.28.24 – [email protected] – www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com 9
THE PARTNERS OF RENDEZ-VOUS A LA CATHEDRALE
Rendez-vous à la cathédrale 2016 – Press contact : Claire BEAURUEL – Tourist office of Bayeux Intercom
Tél : +33(0)2.31.51.28.24 – [email protected] – www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com 10
PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS
Rendez-vous à la Cathédrale « The Lights of Liberty »
BAYEUX
From July 12 to August 27, 2016
On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – From dusk to 00.30 am
Tree of Liberty – Cathedral
Free
+ The cathedral will be opened exceptionally from 8.30 pm to 10.30 pm
Rendez-vous à la cathédrale 2016 – Press contact : Claire BEAURUEL – Tourist office of Bayeux Intercom
Tél : +33(0)2.31.51.28.24 – [email protected] – www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com 11
A COLOURFUL TRIPTYCH!
The show Rendez-vous à la cathédrale « The lights of Liberty » is part of summer entertainment triptych,
proposed each year by the Bayeux Intercom Tourist Office. These have been developed thanks mainly to the
tourist tax, implemented in 2007.
Rendez-vous à la Cathédrale – Bayeux
From July 12 to August 27, 2016
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – From dusk to 12.30 am
Tree of Liberty – Cathedral
Free + The cathedral will be opened exceptionally from 8.30 pm to 10.30 pm
Fireworks at Tour Vauban – Port-en-Bessin
From July 8 to August 26, 2016 (except July 15)
Every Friday at 11.00 pm
On the quayside of Port-en-Bessin-Huppain
Free
Musical evenings – Juaye-Mondaye
From July 20 to August 10, 2016
Every Wednesday from 9.00 pm to 11.00 pm
In the gardens of the abbey
Free + The abbey will be opened to the public until 9.30 pm
Rendez-vous à la cathédrale 2016 – Press contact : Claire BEAURUEL – Tourist office of Bayeux Intercom
Tél : +33(0)2.31.51.28.24 – [email protected] – www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com 12
Tourist office of Bayeux Intercom
RENDEZ-VOUS A LA CATHEDRALE « LES LUMIERES DE LA LIBERTE »
Press kit 2016
Press contact
Claire BEAURUEL Tourist office of Bayeux Intercom
4 place Gauquelin Despallières – 14400 BAYEUX
Tél : +33(0)2 31 51 28 24 – Portable : +33(0)6 30 24 00 10
[email protected] – www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com
Contact us (General public)
Bayeux tourist office Pont Saint-Jean – 14400 Bayeux
Tél : +33(0)2 31 51 28 28 – Fax : +33(0)2 31 51 28 29
[email protected] – www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com
