Inspiration
Fête du Lac – Lake Festival
When Annecy lights it upIn just a few days, the sky in Albigny Bay will light up for the “Fête du Lac” (Lake Festival), a mainstay in Annecy and one of the city’s most iconic events.
Following a two-year hiatus due to Covid, the highly-awaited festival is back with a bang this year, for the enjoyment of both locals and visitors alike, including those who specifically make the trip to attend one of the most spectacular pyrotechnic shows in Europe.
A tradition that started in 1860
This amazing sound and light show originated with the great Venetian festival in August 1860, when Napoleon III and the Empress Eugenie traveled to Annecy to celebrate France annexing the Savoie in June of the same year.
© Peignée Verticale / T. Nalet
In their honor, orchestras in the area’s towns played and fireworks exploded as the imperial couple made their way around the lake on a gondola. The experience proved “magical” for Empress Eugenie, who mentioned the trip in her memoirs. One year later, the imperial couple offered the city of Annecy the “Couronne de Savoie” (Savoie Crown), a forty meter long steamboat that could transport up to four hundred passengers. After a few years ferrying people around the lake, it became a floating villa docked at Les Marquisats, and was then dismantled in 1924.
2022, an all-new innovative approach
For this year’s grand reunion on August 6, the theme of the festival is “The History of Water.” The French-Italian companies Arts & Feux and Pyroemotions – who enjoyed the double whammy in 2018 by orchestrating the fireworks for both the Fête du Lac and July 14 (Bastille Day) – has been given the task of creating and choreographing the 70-minute pyrotechnics show that will light up Albigny Bay.
© Ville d'Annecy
Pyroemotions, with its world-renowned expertise and reputation, has been hired to create a highly dynamic and original show using the latest technology while operating within the current safety rules and regulations in place.
The ten-minute light ballet using 300 drones will tell the story of how Lake Annecy formed through a series of aerial maneuvers; the show will take the audience through a breathtaking 21 acts, from fireworks to special effects. Note that a show using 300 drones is a first in France.
The music, fountain displays, lights, beams, and special effects synchronized in an ever-changing tempo from quick to relaxed, to slow, leading up to a frenzied grand finale that will electrify the crowd. An audience of over 150,000 people is expected.
Reducing the impact on the environment and encouraging inclusiveness
This year more than ever, the city of Annecy is paying close attention to the environmental impact of the festival, working hard to leave as little trace as possible, selecting a company that will take every possible measure to protect the local natural environment. For the very first time, a carbon footprint analysis will be conducted after the event. Christophe Chastel, who has overseen the Fête du Lac since 2017, will be in charge of coordinating operations before, during, and after the festival.
© Ville d'Annecy
An electric charge will launch and then light up the 16,000 pyrotechnic pieces. This process means no cardboard or plastic, and reduces the amount of gunpowder used by eliminating the need for 90% of the charges. This translates to less chemicals, smoke, and carbon dioxide. No more chemicals: sugars and Arabic gum will be used to color the fireworks. After the festival, a company of professional divers will be used to clean up the bottom of the bay. Annecy’s scuba diving club will assist them.
To make sure everyone can attend in the festivities, the city of Annecy has set up services to include both handicapped individuals and the area’s youth.
The challenge this year will be to ensure that the blind in attendance will enjoy the show just as much as everyone else. Using an audio system and vibrating vests, they will experience a pyro-melodic show like no other. A few lucky local youths will also have the chance to enjoy a behind the scenes look at the festival, learning about the different types of professions involved in putting on such an amazing event as well as being offered the chance to help out the day of the show.
It’s time to celebrate!
- An app will allow everyone to download the playlist for the Fête du Lac and to listen to the show in real time – a treat for those who will be following the festivities elsewhere than on the Pâquier (for more information go to www.annecy.fr).
- For those who would like to head home with the official 2022 edition poster by Clément Barbé, you can purchase one for €5 at the Lake Annecy Tourism Office. Illustrator Clément Barbé was inspired by Lake Annecy itself, staging it with one of the event’s other main characters: the amazing pyrotechnics. Between the fireworks and the lake, experience the lake in a kaleidoscope of colors.
© Clément Barbé
Copyright:
- © Peignée Verticale / T. Nalet
Journalist: Aude Pollet-Thiollier
Translation: Darin Reisman