2023-08-25 16:00:00
Since he became mayor (end of 2018), Bruno Lefebvre has not necessarily had the most “easiest” ducasses to manage. The controversy around the Savage, then the pandemic and sometimes delicate decisions.
Bruno Lefebvre, in what state of mind are you?
I am rather calm because I think that we have taken all the appropriate measures to ensure that everything happens in the best conditions; I think the City has done a pretty magnificent job of making it welcoming, clean, neat and perfect. I see in the Athois for a few days that we are really in the movement of the Ducasse; everything seems to be going well. I started on Sunday with Bayard’s rehearsal, which went very well; there was a lot of emotion and I went to the academy almost every night; and I saw that it was going very well and that the Athois were getting into the Ducasse well.
It will be a ducasse which is no longer recognized by Unesco. Does it change anything for you, for the City?
I have a strong opinion on the subject which will probably not be unanimous, but I was very hurt to have been expelled from Unesco when we were trying to find solutions. As long as I’m here, we won’t go back to Unesco. It’s very clear. We really tried to move forward while respecting each party, while also respecting the population.
Our objective was clearly not to impose things, but to make the population aware of the fact that the character could shock. While leading him to try to provide solutions precisely so that he becomes acceptable to everyone. And so really, we worked; we had agreements with Unesco to allow us another year; and so here it is, I was very injured, and so as long as I’m there, we won’t be going back.
Some have deplored the lack of support from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation…
Yes, I heard. Afterwards, it’s difficult. I don’t know if you saw the debate, I saw it in its entirety. I think that at one point, we were so pointed to the so-called “negrophobic” aspect of the event that I find it hard to see a state saying “no, it doesn’t matter, forget it”. All the African countries had come together despite the diplomatic agreements and therefore it would have also given another image of Belgium if it had wanted to pretend that nothing was happening. So, I don’t blame the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. I think that diplomacy within Unesco worked badly because there were agreements.
You don’t hold it against the Minister of Culture, Bénédicte Linard?
No, I don’t blame Minister Linard. I think that her first reactions were reactions of ignorance of our population because if she had known the Athoise population, she would obviously have realized straight away that there was no racist approach in our folklore and that the Athe population is obviously not racist.
I remain convinced of one thing: if the people who today are uncomfortable with our character, had come in a sympathetic way, telling us that the character is still not very cool, we the feeling that he makes us pass for slaves, for less than nothing, I think we would have had a much more positive perception on the part of the population who would have said to themselves “well yes, maybe we have to do something.”
But to be attacked as we were attacked from the outset by saying to us “you are only big racists, what is this negrophobic character, it is scandalous”, it was the best way to slow down the changes. Because in the end, everyone says to themselves “but what is it?”, “what is going on?”, “why are we being attacked?”, “why are we we are also virulent towards us? And so here it is, I really think it was a mistake they made because today we realize that the population is aware of the issue and that we are not opposed to respecting others .
Change is on the way.
The citizens’ commission has shown its desire for change, it has shown its desire for development. The first changes are already noticeable; the savage has regained his devil name and will become more and more of a fantastic character. I think we are on the right track.
What is your favorite moment of the Ducasse?
My favorite moment is the moment when I take little David in my arms right after the fight. You should never film my eyes at that moment, because it’s the most dramatic moment for me (smile). And in both cases, whether he wins or loses. It’s so moving. Ditto on Sunday evening at the hangar. I am very emotional by nature…
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