We went to the South of France, in the Cistercian Abbey of Le Thoroneton the occasion of the 1time edition of The Voices of the Other festival.
Under the century-old oaks of Le Thoronet and in the Cistercian abbey with its internationally renowned acoustics, the public finds artists from all over the world in a very intimate format.
Unique creations, readings, concerts…
⇒ See the RFI Videos clip.
Our guests are Piers Facciniartistic director of the festival, composer, singer; Leila Shahidreciter; Christine Zayedsinger and musician; Djene Kouyaté, singer and musician; Malik Ziadmusician; Jean-Marc Bouréadministrator of the abbey of Thoronet and Karine Mangin, guide at the abbey.
⇒ See the clip of Djene Kouyaté filmed by RFI Videos.
Who is Piers Faccini ? He is an English painter and folk singer of Italian origin.
From its 1er album Leave No Trace in 2004, he unveiled a delicate and refined songwriting. He is recognized for the originality of his songs and his passion for intercultural dialogue.
In 2021, he releases his 9th album Shapes of the Falla suite of songs from the earth, at the source of a writing that draws as much from the Anglo-American heritage, the traditions of the Mediterranean, the Maghreb and West Africa, as from music ancient and baroque.
More than 900 people came to discover the thirty artists brought together under the artistic direction of the composer and musician Piers Faccini who signs a festival that resembles him.
With the complicity of the readers Leila Shahid and Charles Berlingthe spectators experienced an artistic journey accompanied by the musicians Christine Zayed, Djene Kouyate, Kawthar Meziti, Malik Ziad, guided by Piers Faccini.
With the set Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino coming from Puglia in Italy, the Abbey danced during the Saturday evening to the sound of traditional music.
Vox clamantis, world-famous Estonian vocal ensemble, once again made the Gregorian chants resound which still permeate the stones of this abbey administered by the Center for National Monuments.
Finally, by interpreting with the percussionistLucie Antunes an original creation for the exceptional acoustics of Le Thoronet, Piers Faccini also attests to his desire to be part of the history of this place while respecting its spiritual vocations.
For its 1st edition, the festival had the honor of welcoming a remarkable guest:
Leila Shahid
Former Ambassador of Palestine to Europe.
During the 25 years of her political career in various European countries, she has always defended the place of culture and art in diplomacy and learning to live together, by organizing meetings in Paris and Brussels in particular between creators and thinkers from both shores of the Mediterranean.
Note of intent of the festival
Culture is the encounter with the other, and the more the other is different, the more the encounter is rich, fertile, creative.
Les Voix de l’autre celebrates a history of humanity resulting from the many migrations that lead men and women to meet, talk to each other, mix their voices, tune their instruments as different as they are, sing, love each other.
In music, in poetry, Les Voix de l’autre invites the public to follow in turn the paths taken by those who take with them the scents of Italy, Syria, Morocco, Guinea, Algeria. .
If this festival was born, it is also thanks to its partners: the DRAC, the Center des Monuments Nationaux, the Mutuelle St Christophe, the Carmignac Foundation, the national scene Châteauvallon-Liberté, the Diaconie du Var and Actes sud. And of course Bayard and La Croix.
Appointment is made in one year for a new edition, from May 5 to 7, 2023.