Around 250,000 people turned out to watch the 18th edition of the Biennale de la Danse parade in the French city of Lyon.
One of the highlights of the festival, which runs until the end of the month, the theme this year is peace.
People have found the day amazing. “It’s amazing, I’m actually a footballer really, but this is better than a football match, there are loads of people, it’s extraordinary”. “For all the dancers it’s been a whole year of preparation, Saturday afternoons, rehearsals”.
Latifa Ibn Ziaten set up an association for peace after her son was murdered by Mohammed Merah. Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, she is the godmother of the parade while ex French football champion and anti-racism activist Lilian Thuram is the godfather.
Lilian Thuram says, “I think that it is very important, especially today with everything that’s happening politically – whether it’s in France or in Europe – to do things together because of the fact we can march and dance and denounce discrimination, problems of exclusion… it’s also about trust in the future, I have the feeling we need that”.
Euronews reporter Andrea Bolitho says, “After the security concerns of 2016, this parade is now back where it belongs – in the heart of the city, with a cast of around 5,000 local dancers. It’s a highly symbolic gestures given this year’s theme of peace, Andrea Bolitho, in Lyon for Euronews.”
