Esperanzah! is a world music festival which has been offering a varied programme of well-known and less familiar artists since 2002. It takes place at Floreffe Abbey, between Charleroi and Namur in Belgium. [1] It is organised by the nonprofit organisation Z! which also organised Verdur Rock (in 2015 and 2016) as well as Jyva'Zik.
Two stages are built to be used by more than 20 groups. The stage "côté jardin" showcases artists of various origins who remain true to their roots or offer musical projects that combine instruments, rhythms and melodies from different traditions. As for the "côté cour" stage, it is more urban and offers a mix of genres between traditional rhythms and more modern music. Artists hosted include: Tryo, Manu Chao, Patti Smith, La Ruda Salska, Les Ogres de Barback, La Rue Ketanou, La Kinky Beat, Les Hurlements d'Leo, La Phaze, N&SK, Dub Incoroporation, Balkan Beat Box, Marcel et son Orchestre, Saule, Hocus Pocus, Fauve, and others.
The festival also offers film screenings, [2] artistic creations, conferences, activities for children, [2] craftsmen and restaurants from around the world, street artists, a fair trade cocktail bar, Esperanzah! radio 24 hours a day and two campsites. The public is also edicated on the importance of sorting waste. [2]
During its first edition in 2002, the festival welcomed about 10,000 visitors. [3] The number of participants in the 2008 edition was approximately 27,000. [2] In 2013, there were almost 36,000 spectators, [4] and nearly 46,000 in 2014. [5]
Since the 2004 edition, Radio Esperanzah, a temporary radio station launched by people involved in free radio in French-speaking Belgium, [6] has been covering the festival, thus enabling listeners online to experience the festival.
Pierre Lapointe is a Canadian singer-songwriter. His work largely follows in the tradition of French chanson, though he is influenced by modern pop music. Defining himself as a "popular singer", he has built an egocentric persona of a dandy onstage, but says he does this mostly to deflect attention from himself. His records have found critical and commercial success in Canada. His regular tours in France ensured him a growing notoriety as well as critical recognition.
Véronique Marie Line Sanson is a three-time Victoires de la Musique award-winning Frenc] singer-songwriter and record producer with an avid following in her native country.
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Claudine Luypaerts, better known as Maurane, was a Francophone Belgian singer and actress.
Festival d'été de Québec (FEQ) is the biggest outdoor musical event in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The event was held since 1968, the 11-day festival takes place every year in July. FEQ's eclectic programming includes the biggest international stars and emerging artists from around the globe. Its main stage is the biggest self-supporting stage in North America. The biggest crowd in the history of the FEQ is the Rolling Stones in 2015 with 103,000 at The Bell Stage.
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The Chemin Neuf Community is a Catholic community with an ecumenical vocation. Formed from a charismatic prayer group in 1973, it has 2,000 permanent members in 30 countries, and 12,000 people serving in the community missions. Its main founder is the Jesuit father, Laurent Fabre.
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Ananias Leki Dago is an Ivorian photographer.
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Montebello Rock, formerly known as Amnesia Rockfest and Montebello Rockfest, is an annual outdoor Rock festival that takes place each June in Montebello, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 2005 by then 17-year-old local resident Alex Martel, it became the largest rock music festival in Canada and one of the largest in North America.
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A Fonds régional d'art contemporain (Frac) is a public regional collection of contemporary art set in one of the metropolitan or overseas regions of France. There are currently 23 Fracs across the country, organised into a national network called Platform since 2005. Fracs are funded by regions, by the state through the Ministry of Culture and by municipalities. Originally without venues, Fracs are now hosted in repurposed historical buildings, or in specifically-built art museums, depending on the size of their collection.
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