From 30,000 to 40,000 people are expected from this Sunday, September 3 in a small town in eastern France, for a week, for an evangelical gathering at the former Grostenquin air base (Moselle). A highlight for the gypsy community, but also a source of tension with local residents, not always happy with such an influx.
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The commune of Grostenquin, approximately 600 souls, will multiply its population by 60 for a few days, on the occasion of the annual gathering of the Evangelical Mission of the Gypsies of France or Life and Light. It brings together believers of the Pentecostal Christian faith. It is a particularly important event for the gypsy community which could not have taken place.
The last edition in this village was in effect unfolded in 2017. Then Prime Minister, Édouard Philippe had promised the local elected officials of Grostenquin – who had already hosted this gathering three times and denounced the nuisance caused by this influx of thousands of people – that their town would no longer host this religious festival. Local elected officials regularly protest against the holding of this mass religious event which is experiencing a growing influx of believers.
Elisabeth Borne, the current Prime Minister, is backtracked on that promise. And if the State supports an operational part of the gathering, with the establishment of an aid station and logistical means, the concern of the residents remains, scalded by the previous gatherings and the testimonies of filth accompanying them.
On the side of Life and Light, we assure that this moment devoted to prayer will be well held. The organizers are committed to ensuring the sanitation of the premises. For the community, it is above all a question of meeting around faith, with participants from all over Europe, gathered in this real ephemeral city until September 10th.
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