Make way for the British!

Today, 18 July, was devoted to England: you cannot have missed the English brass bands and their all-too-unique British humour! On the Penfeld River, the Ultim multihulls were also in the spotlight for this last day of festivities. But the day isn’t over yet: tonight, two major concerts are scheduled at the Big Stage, before the Festival’s closing fireworks! A must-see!

No need to cross the Channel: the British are here! The English brass bands set the tempo throughout this particularly sunny day. At noon today, the Etoile du Roy welcomed Mayor Cuillandre and four exceptional skippers: François Gabart, Lionel Lemonchois, Yves Le Blevec and Sébastien Josse; a great reunion to celebrate the future solo round-the-world race aboard Ultim multihulls. These giants of the seas will set off from Brest in 2019. At noon, the entire festival paused: like everywhere else in France, a moment of silence was observed to pay tribute to the victims of the terror attack in Nice. The ships’ and boats’ foghorns then resounded throughout the port.

Roaring hakas and top-notch demonstrations

Early this afternoon, in front of the Big Stage, Melanesia and Polynesia faced off for a colourful battle of warrior dances and songs. The fighting was fierce but all in good humour. Meanwhile, near the Aquitaine naval frigate, the Marines of the French Navy presented exceptional demonstrations with their canine comrades. Further away, at the end of the La Pérouse breakwater, the French Navy also organised a helicopter rescue demonstration. In the 3rd harbour basin, the members of the Agua Sonora brass band took to the water on their lily pads for a wonderful concert of Latin-American music.

England in the spotlight

Today, our friends from across the Channel were in the spotlight. The Plymouth pipe band and the Falmouth Marine band came to the English Village just before teatime, drums beating, to signal the arrival of the official delegation: François Cuillandre, Mayor and President of Brest Métropole; his counterpart Pauline Murphy, Lord Mayor of Plymouth; and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, patron of the Maritime Festival. The renowned sailor, first man to complete a non-stop, solo round-the-world voyage, said he was “delighted to be here”, calling the Festival “unique” and a “fantastic” experience. “It’s just a wonderful celebration of maritime history,” he went on, adding: “We share a lot of maritime heritage – British and French. We should remember that. Just keep it strong.”

Tonight: Mickey 3D and the Matheus Ensemble on the Big Stage

At 8 pm, Mickey 3D will take to the Brest 2016 Big Stage for a concert organised by radio station RTL2. Frontman Mickaël Furnon’s fans and music lovers are in for a good time! At 9:30 pm, the band makes way for Maestro Jean-Christophe Spinosi and the Matheus Ensemble to light up the stage. As usual, this virtuoso has brought along some talented singers, mezzo-soprano Rany Boechat and countertenor David DQ Lee, for a true “baroque ‘n’ roll” concert!
The Festival’s closing fireworks will begin at nightfall (around 11 pm). A final concert by Parlor Snakes will then bring this last day of festivities to its end!
 

Tomorrow: the Grand Parade! Thousands of ships and boats will sail past the mythical Tas de Pois, along with thousands of sailors and foghorns – before thousands of spectators. It promises to be a unique panorama with the most beautiful ships and boats in the world.