On the canton of Beaumont a great celebration of the Resistance held every year in the wood of Larocal at Sainte Sabine. This event created by local Resistance fighters in 1946, has continued to grow. Members of festival committee, animated by the duty to remember, try to make it endure for both the symbol that it represents and for its role as important festive animation in rural areas. Currently, the 66th festival is being prepared and will be held on 21 and 22 July 2012.
Remember:
In late 1942, the Nazi order dominate Europe. One after the other, nations had been submitted. The people are forced to knuckle under. Here in France, the Republic is denied. The most part lost hope and relies on an old Maréchal who sells our country to the worst enemies of Democracy. But in this dark night, a flame is lit. Most have between 20 and 30 years. They are daughters and son of the people of France. They can not accept the barbarism to which the majority are accustomed. They leave all the habits of everyday life, the family shelter, security of work. They come in resistance to defend democracy. Then they are called terrorists, madmen. Nobody believes their chance of success. Even they think they are doomed.
Their motto: Better to die standing than live in submission and shame.
The Wood of Larocal are not a hotbed of resistance but the Germans came to hunt down the Resistance fighters in June 1944 and 7 young resistants to the small town of St Sabine were killed on the front of La Rochelle, at La Pointe de Grave or even shot at Tourliac.
At a recent festival, Yves Besse, a member of the Festival Committee and member of the Friends of the Resistance testified:
When the Germans came to Larocal in June 1944 with an impressive column of 90 armored trucks and countless soldiers to dislodge the guerrillas holed up in the woods, I was only 13 years old and this happened almost in front of my door. I was deeply affected by the violence of the commitment. They had partially encircled the wood and shot a long time, more than two hours, the machine gun and cannon towards the forest. They had been informed by the French ...
Fortunately, the guerrillas had left the woods and there were no casualties. I found myself in the front line because, while trying to flee with my grandmother in a wheat field, they saw us from afar and we have shot 4 or 5 to submachine gun bursts. Wheat heads were falling around us. There also failing, it was not picnic...
Two years later, I was among the instigators of this commemorative celebration. I put up the garlands and I helped to stall the floor of the dance pavilion, around a clump of trees. We did what we could, we will put all our heart ... We were happy to find the taste of the festival after this dark period.
A few years after its inception, the festival brought together all departmental managers of the Resistance and the public was growing to dance and watch the fireworks.
Committee members are now parties of friends or relatives of these resistant and have kept the same will and great solidarity over the years to succeed in developing this commemorative celebration is better known now by the quality of festive entertainment. It brings together each year a large audience and those who gave their lives for our freedom would be happy to see a youth have fun, knowing that it is an opportunity to express his opinions in a democratic country. Their fight has not been in vain.
On Sunday morning, a commemoration is held at the War Memorial at St. Sabine. It is a solemn moment to honor them and all Resisters of the second World War.
The rest of the weekend is under the sign of brotherhood. The only purpose of volunteers is in fact to make you spend pleasant evenings and entertain you.
On Saturday evening, a ball is held in a room built for that purpose, in the woods. At the sound of the accordion, guitars and drums, people come to dance around the Waltz, Tango and Java.
On Sunday, the festivities are for the whole family. Each year a large musical show is produced by a leading national orchestras: Brahm's, Pellegrini, etc.. A large scene is made up into the woods to offer a spectacular sound and light show.
In recent years, the festival committee also reached invited renowned artists such as Emile & Image, Laville Philipe and Jean Jacques Lafon. These singers could interpret their greatest hits, accompanied by live musicians in the orchestra.
Alongside these events, rides and games are installed by stallholders all weekend. Children and adults can come and have fun catching the tail of mickey or challenge to the bumper cars.
Sure, the stands are open all weekend to get a drink or to eat. Volunteers send grilled sandwiches, soup, pancakes, beer, wine, soda or even water!!!
So if you think the big shows are in town, you change your mind!
If you want to enjoy the beautiful summer nights, come in our woods!!
If you want a fun night with family or friends, come to Larocal!!!
