PRESS KIT

Introduction P 3Box: Figures

The good times P 4Box: 2 events

A little history P 5Box: Dates

One carnival per year P 6/7

Box: The Carnival Parade, the Flower Parade and street arts

Mobilising the suburbs P 8Visit of the town in images

Participating in the carnival P 9Electing the Queen, photo competition, fancy dress, live events…Box: What you should know about the production

Programme P 10Prices and conditions

Press information P 11

General information P 12

SUMMARY

PRESS CONTACTSIsabelle Billey-QuéréOlivia ZurcherCaterina Prochillopresse@otcnice comTél 00 33 4 92 14 46 15Tourisme et Congrès

The Nice Carnival is part of the Nice ADN Present since the Middle Ages, it is one of the constitutive events of the town It has evolved at its own pace, historically fulfilling its role as a social and festive outlet

Among the two thousand cultural, festive and sporting events that take place throughout the year in Nice, the Carnival is the most important winter event on the Côte d’Azur

Its international prestige is never usurped Known and renowned in the four corners of the world as one of the three largest, it has also woven very close links with other carnivals in the world, such as those of Laval in Quebec, New Orleans in the USA, Pasto in Colombia and even Kobe in Japan… However, the most prestigious link is the one with Rio de Janeiro In 2009, the year of France in Brazil, Nice and its Carnival were represented with a float!

In tune with its time, a new impetus has been breathed into this event in order to produce a modern, high quality spectacle, particularly impressive in its nocturnal version, which becomes an authentic sound and lights show Modernity and tradition are, more than ever, the key words of a third millennium Carnival Modernity, with its innovative and creative procession, while remaining attentive to safeguarding the environment at the heart of all the activities in the town Tradition, by maintaining strong symbols associated with the history of the Nice Carnival

This period offers a marvellous opportunity to discover Nice in the winter: The mild weather, the luminosity of the sky and the art of living on the Côte d’Azur In order to make the most of its sites, its rich cultural and artistic heritage and its gastronomy…, the French Riviera Pass card is the ideal key

INTRODUCTION

THE CARNIVAL IN A FEW FIGURES

» 1 million visitors over the period

» 600,000 spectators for all the “Nice Carnival” events

» 175,500 entrance tickets sold during the last edition

» More than 2 million Euros income

» 6 5 million Euro budget

» Almost 300 direct jobs out of 1,700 indirect jobs

» 30 to 33 million Euros in economic spinoffs

The “King of Gastronomy” will be the sponsor of the revival of the “Cuisine Nissarde” label A unique case, together with Lyon, the appellation for Nice cuisine contains the name of its town

Resembling the cuisine of Crete, it reflects the art of living and the respect for regional produce revisited in its own way and always accompanied with the famous “AOC Nice” olive oil and all the aromatic plants This revaluation is also an act of memory and education “Gastronomic” events will accompany the King this year during his reign

THE GOOD TIMES

THE NICE CARNIVAL: 2 DIFFERENT EVENTS

THE CARNIVAL PARADE BY DAY OR NIGHTOn the Place Masséna and around the Jardin Albert 1er, 18 allegorical or burlesque floats will parade accompanied by entertainment elements, street art and international musical groups These Carnival Parades take on the appearance of initiation journeys… The whole universe in 90 minutes

THE FLOWER PARADEBeside the sea, the grace and elegance of these processions of floats reminds us of the power of the flowers and shows off the floral heritage of the region Another more poetic facet of the Carnival, inseparable from the other more ironic side

NOTE: The protection of the environment has been entirely adopted into the organisation of the performance The recycling of materials, clean vehicles, eco-labelled service providers…; each field is moving towards a more ecological treatment

THE GUEST OF HONOUR: GERMANYThis year, after the 60 years of twinning between Nuremberg and Nice, Germany imposes itself as the guest of honour

SPORT COMES TO THE CARNIVALThe second edition of the Rock’n’Roll 10-miles Carnival, organised in partnership with Competitor Group Inc , along the Baie des Anges, will combine sport, music and costume

With almost 3,000 participants, this slightly crazy race was an authentic success in 2013

Now 2014 is shaping up to be a good cru Almost 5,000 French runners, but also Germans, Scandinavians and even Americans, are expected on the 16th February at 9 a m This event will be followed by a giant zumba on the Promenade des Anglais from midday

NEW: In partnership with the resorts of the Mercantour, the participants in the race will benefit of price reductions for the purchase of Carnival places, but also for ski passes in the resorts of Auron and Isola 2000 (Reduction of 50% for the runners upon the presentation of their race number or enrolment confirmation)

A reduction of 10% on the ski passes will also be offered to anyone who bought a Carnival ticket and who would like to go skiing

The second weekend will welcome the famous Carnival swim, in which costumes and courage are combined to benefit a charitable association You should consider that the sea is generally at 13°C in February…

THE CARNIVAL AS A VECTOR OF TRANSMISSIONWhile the term transgression has always been fundamental to the Carnival, the term transmission have the place of honor in Nice Firstly, with respect to the children, over 800 students from pre-school and primary schools are initiated into the carnival tradition Their participation in the opening procession is a pretext for them to transmit the awareness and taste for the event

On the university side, in the Faculty of Arts, there is now a degree in the performing professions with an option in carnival techniques and symbolism

Lastly, associations are involied in the suburb Carnivals, thus diffusing the carnival tradition throughout the town

NOTE: The best costumes will win prizes

The Carnival is the great heir of the pagan winter solstice festivals and renewal celebrations, the church having appropriated the event to transform all its customs into important dates in the Christian calendar

The origin of the word “Carnival” probably comes from the contraction of “carne levare”: Remove the flesh, in the Middle Ages In Nice, the first mention of these rejoicings dates back to 1294, when Charles d’Anjou, the Count of Provence, refers to his stay in the city for the “Joyful days of the Carnival”

The evening before entering into Lent is preceded with balls, masquerades, farandoles and other performances, with transgression as the backdrop Making fun of everything, everyone at each person’s expense became the rule, the permissiveness being assisted by the masks and costumes Measures of control have been initiated, depending on the periods…

The Belle Epoque gradually attracted all the international elite and the festival was organised into an authentic spectacle… the foundations of the modern era were thus laid In 1873, with the creation of the Festival Committee, the Nice Carnival mushroomed, with processions of floats, the “Ymagiers” (image producers), the paying stands and the structured production,… made their appearance A surprising topical peculiarity, grotesque and fabulous…

Three years later, the Flower Parades were created Originally, simple exchanges of flowers, they have become the poetic and elegant side of the Carnival and the showcase for local production, still present today on the floats A spectacle unique in the world

A LITTLE HISTORY

DATES

» 1294: First mention of the Carnival in Nice

» 11830: First procession on honour of the sovereigns of Piedmont-Sardinia

» 1873: Entrance into the modern era with the Festival Committee and the 1st Parade

» 1876: 1st Flower Parade

» 1882: Creation of the mascot “Triboulet”

» 1889: 1st Carnival poster

» 1921: 1st electric lighting

» 1996: Organisation entrusted to the Tourism Office and the Nice Congress

» 2000: Carnival designed by Sergueï from “Le Monde” newspaper

» 2009: Return to the Place Masséna

» 2011: 1st clean vehicles in the Flower Parade

NOTE:

Isabel, daughter of the Emperor Pedro 1st of Brazil, brought back from Nice the idea of

introducing the procession into their own Carnival…

* Recommended reading: The Carnival of Nice, Tradition and Modernity by Annie Sidro – edited by the Directorate of Culture of the town of Nice (bilingual Fr/En)

After burning the King of the Carnival, the next one is announced…

LAST DAY: The theme and the dates are proclaimed

SPRING: Call for bidders for the float models

SUMMER: Launching different technical commissions, project validation and project allocation

AUTUMN: Opening of the costume workshops for the Flower Parades (then castings for the models that are going to wear them), the Carnival floats and performance elements, programming the street art groups, start of the school and student programmes based on the Carnival

WINTER: All the production workshops operate at full capacity, opening the online elections for the Queen, the assembly of technical elements: Galleries…

HOME STRETCH: Announcing the name of the Queen, installation of “light-sound-video” material, BAT rehearsals

BACKSTAGE: Flower pricking, taking the floats out, small tasks of the Carnival, and staging the processions… (see programme)

A ONE YEAR-

The Carnival floats are the emblems of the event They are the fruit of many influences The “Ymagier” drives the idea, the “Carnivalier”, the artist-craftsman, creates the float and the performance elements and finally, the artistic coordinator supervises the passage to 3D and meeting the demands of such a festival Although the cardboard appearance remains, the materials and the techniques are entirely from the 21st Century Inventiveness is present!

ROUND CARNIVAL

The Flower Parade combines entirely renewed and modular floats for a 360° performance The florists prick the fresh flowers for 72 hours, an activity carried out in a universe of colours and scents worthy of a beehive The costumes are created in a temporary workshop dedicated to the Carnival by costume designers from the performance world, who juggle with the fabrics and original materials letting their imagination run free

The street arts are the trademark of the new Carnival The BAT, Brigade d’agitateurs de Tribunes (Brigade of Gallery Agitators), created for the event, is a group of 60 dancers, acrobats and circus performers responsible for livening up the processions In parallel, about twenty groups of professional and amateur artists and musicians add colour and rhythm to each Carnival parade and Flower Parades

The enthusiasm displayed in a Carnival that involves the whole town and a town that reclaims its Carnival is evidenced in every part of the city, with performances, suburb Carnivals, uproars and dawn serenades… Associations, suburb and residents committees, everyone gives the best of themselves and does their bit by contributing to maintain the tradition For the visitors, it is the opportunity to discover the lesser-known suburbs

Each one can also become a player in the festival and follow the preparations on the social networks such as the Facebook, Twitter and Youtube pages as well as the blogs and the newsletters… All the contacts are given at the end of the press kit

MOBILISING THE SUBURBS

TAKE PART IN THE CARNIVAL

ELECTION OF THE CARNIVAL QUEENEvery year, the election for the Nice Carnival Queen is held online, on www nicecarnival com From January, internet users from all over the world can vote for their favourite candidate among the eight candidates selected during the Flower Parade casting

DRESSING UP TO WATCH THE FESTIVALChoosing to come to the Nice Carnival in costume is evidence of the Carnival spirit It is acknowledged by a free entry to the enclosed Place Masséna

IT IS POSSIBLE TO FOLLOW THE CARNIVAL ON LIVE!Events to discover on live on the following sites: www nice fr, www nicetourisme com and www niceCarnival com

Many ways of experiencing the Carnival will be launched at the beginning of the year: Performances, games, competitions and other surprises… To discover online!

NOTE THAT…

PARADE:

» 18 floats measuring 12 m long by 3 wide and 8 to 17 m high

» The 3 leading floats are the King, the Queen and Carnivalon, their son

» 20 tonnes of confetti are at the heart of the parade and the Flower Parade

» 4 to 5 tonnes of waste and other leftovers are collected by the cleaning service in 1 and a half hours after the Flower Parade and 2 hours after the parade

ELEMENTS OF THE PERFORMANCE:

» Almost 150 pieces, including some traditional large heads

» About 10 kg for the large heads made from cardboard and 4 to 5 kg for the more modern structures

» During the Carnival, the structure bearers walk the equivalent of a marathon

» Those bearing the traditional versions burn the energy equivalent of a megajoule during the event

FLOWER PARADE:

» 20 floats 7 m long by 2 m wide and 6 m high

» About 4,000 stems per float, of which about 70% is produced locally

» 72 hours of pricking, over 2 and a half days

» 400 floral foams, 10 kg of wire and 12 5 m of garden netting

» 27 models throw 5 tonnes of mimosa for the battle, as well as all the flowers decorating the floats

THE FLOATS

ANGELA’S EURO- SAUERKRAUTHervé Moreau

Austerity viewed by the Europeans Germany’s rigorous recipe has already begun reforms while others can barely find ingredients

IMPERIAL BOCUSEPierre Heintz

The cuisine of the Chefs among Chefs, the Great among the Great, has a name: Gastronomy! And it’s divine One of the most widely exported from French arts

GARGANTUA‘S NEW HOMECHad Crowe

The return of Gargantua He looks to Russia where taxes and the way of life appear more cheerful…Caviar ladle molded and other specialities are, nevertheless, served by the common people

THE KING’S TABLEHervé Moreau

Sweet and savoury at the King’s table His Majesty invites us to sample all the delicacies and rolls out the red carpet for us! Nothing is too good…

QUEEN CHARLOTTEHervé Moreau Charlotte with red fruit The Queen offers a world of sweets at your fingertips Elegant and refined, she belongs to the lineage of great Queens

CARNAVALON, THE GARDEN OF DELIGHTSHervé Moreau Carnavalon advocates a return to the sweet world of childhood The happy times of tea and sweets’ afternoon

CARNIVAL 2014

THE CAFÉCHad Crowe

Cafés are a social and cultural institution…At the bar, everyone meets: readers, authors, artists, friends and lovers… and even business!

CANTINA ON THE “COURS”Gérard artufel

Nissa la Bella proudly offers up local fare, “Cuisine Nissarde”, with a new label of quality in the most emblematic part of the city: Cours Saleya

A LEGACY TO SHAREGérard artufel

Sharing to fight inequality Even if Coluche, Abbé Pierre and Sister Teresa are gone, we must pursue their combat…

GASTRONOMIC OPPRESSION CHad Crowe

Today, Gargantua could be Michelin and consort Hence the mad Chefs’ race to satisfy his insatiable appetite to obtain star potential!

JUNK-FOOD JUNKIEKristian

Junk-food addicts Constantly updated, the offer is endless and consumers eat mindlessly, seeking only immediate satisfaction

THE NOSECHad Crowe

Tasters’ dictatorship Winemakers hang on the opinion of the “Nose”, which can favour or destroy a career in a gulp

CROOKS IN BOOZEtribute to GeorGes lautner PHil CallaGHan

Blier, the typical Frenchman, clings to a bottle of champagne, while all the guests from around the world quench their thirst with their favourite beverage On the way to harmonisation?

21st CenturY HuntinGCédriC PiGnataro

In this day and age, anything can be put on your plate…From now on, you’ll need a hawk’s eye and be able to jump very high to eat… insects!

THE ATTACK OF TRANSGENIC VEGETABLESvirGinie broquet

Between returning to natural organic foods and exploring new sciences: What solution will provide food tomorrow? Truly a planetary social challenge!

PROFESSOR CULINARUSGérard artufel

Extreme cuisine Solutions for feeding tomorrow’s people Our sorcerer’s apprentice, always quick to experiment, seeks fearlessly, and may even go astray…

CHEESES OF HOLLANDEHerlé

Trusting and optimistic by nature, François Hollande remains serene concerning all the country’s issues Unemployment, public deficit…: nothing can alter his long-term vision!

MAÏTÉ, TERROR OF THE LANDfélix Créations

A symbol of regional French cuisine and products of our regions, Maïté’s methods may be a little too radical Media hype around traditional cuisine is a hip again

PRICES

2014 PROGRAMME*THE KING OF GASTRONOMY

* subject to modificationThe events last about 1 ½ hrs

FLOWER PARADES€25 numbered seated place

€10 Standing area

ILLUMINATED CARNIVAL PARADES

€25 numbered seated place

€10 Standing area

CARNIVAL PARADES €20 numbered seated place

€10 Standing area

SPECIAL 2 EVENTS RATEExcluding Saturday – 1 Flower Parade + 1 carnival parade

€35 numbered seated places

RATES FOR DISABLED PEOPLE (for the person holding an invalidity card and their accompanying person)€10 in reserved seating or special wheelchair area (raised level)

€5 Standing area

CHILDREN RATES Free entrance for children under 6 years old (free access to reserved seating on parents lap : 1 child/adult)

From 6 to 12 : € 10 (reserved seating) or € 5 (entrance)

PERSONS IN FANCY-DRESS

Carnival Parade and Illuminated Carnival Parade : Free entrance Place Masséna

Pets are not allowed on-site

FRIDAY 14TH FEBRUARY

SUNDAY 16TH FEBRUARY

SUNDAY 23RD FEBRUARY

SUNDAY 2ND MARCH

SATURDAY 15TH FEBRUARY

SATURDAY 22ND FEBRUARY

TUESDAY 4TH MARCH

SATURDAY 1ST MARCH

TUESDAY 18TH FEBRUARY

TUESDAY 25TH FEBRUARY

WEDNESDAY 19TH FEBRUARY

WEDNESDAY 26TH FEBRUARY

20:30 Opening Festivities (free)

9:00Rock’n’Roll 10-Miles Carnival

11:00 Carnival Swim & Zumba Party

14:30 Carnival Parade

12:00 Zumba Party

14:30 Carnival Parade

14:30 Flower Parade

14:30 Flower Parade

14:30 Carnival Parade

14:30 Flower Parade

21:00Illuminated Carnival Parade

21:00Illuminated Carnival Parade

21:00Closing Festivities

Burning the King and Fireworks (free)

21:00Illuminated Carnival Parade

21:00Illuminated Carnival Parade

14:30 Carnival Parade

14:30 Flower Parade

14:30 Flower Parade

REPORTAGEMany stages in the preparation of the Carnival, backstage and the event can be the subject of shootings or reports The authorisations and appointments are managed by the press service

ILLUSTRATIONSTo choose a visual of Nice or the Carnival, simply visit the site:

www nicetourisme com in the Press section (top right, green strip) and then go to the media library (bottom left) and access the photo library After having registered by creating a personal code, comprising numbers and letters, you will be given access to a choice of royalty-free and high definition visuals Any usage must bear the compulsory mention: Tourism Office and Congress of Nice The models of the Ymagiers must bear the name of the designer

ACCREDITATIONSThese will be provided online from January at: www niceCarnival com and can be withdrawn from the Carnival press office located in the premises of the Tourism & Congress Office (5, Promenade des Anglais) from 11:00 am on February 11th From this date, the office will be open every day from 9:30 to 17:30 apart from the event days, open until 13:00 Due to the “Vigipirate” plan still in force, journalists are advised to arrive a little earlier, equipped with their accreditation

Note: The accreditation is strictly personal, being nominative with a photo and delivered upon the presentation of a press card or a letter from a media mandating you to this effect A protocol is attached in the event of picture shots

PRESS INFORMATION

CONTACT DETAILS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC0892 707 407 (€0 34/min)www niceCarnival com /www nicetourisme cominfo@otcnice com

INFORMATION RESERVED FOR THE PRESS presse@otcnice comTel : 00 33 (0) 4 92 14 46 15

TICKETINGA discount is granted to journalists when they purchase tickets upon the presentation of their press card

» CAR PARKMany car parks are located close to the different parades (see map) For the parades starting at 2:30 pm, the traffic is stopped from 12:30pm For those starting at 9:00 pm, the traffic is stopped from 7:00 pm

» COMING FROM THE WESTWe advise you to leave your car in «Parcazur Las Planas» (exit highway Nice Nord n°54 - free car park for 1 return tram ticket)

ant take the tram: » to the stop «Opéra-Vieille Ville» for Flowers parades » to the stop «Masséna» for Carnival Parades

» COMING FROM THE EASTWe advise you to leave your car in «Parcazur Pont-Michel» (exit highway Nice Est n°55 - free car park for 1 return tram ticket) and take the tram:

» to the stop «Opéra-Vieille Ville»

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Et pour suivre l’actualité du Carnaval en direct, consultez nos pages Facebook et Twitter :

And stay connected wherever you are with the Carnival hashtag!

#NiceCarnival

INFORMATION & GENERAL PUBLIC INFORMATION:0892 707 407 (0,34 €/min)

www niceCarnival com /

www nicetourime com

info@otcnice com

facebook com/CarnavaldeNice

twitter com/nice_carnaval

NICECARNAVAL COM+33 (0)892 707 407(0,34€/min)

nicetourisme com

Tourisme et Congrès

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