Français
While the date of arrival of the competitors in the Paprec double-handed transatlantic race remains uncertain, the opening of the finish village on the Quai du Général de Gaulle has been announced. That's today, Tuesday May 6. Every day, the Comité du Tourisme de Saint-Barthélemy has concocted a rich and varied program for visitors. Whether "official" or onlookers, they'll all be wavering between the two cultures that characterize the event: Caribbean and Breton. Through flavors, encounters and music. To kick things off, a forum on seafaring professions will be held from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the space reserved by the Chambre économique multiprofessionnelle.
Opening conferences
Every day from May 6 to 12, the Village bar will open at 5:30pm. It will be manned successively by volunteers from three associations: Ti Ouana Salsa (May 6 and 7), SB Artists (May 8 and 9) and the Amicale des boulistes (May 10, 11 and 12). At the same time, professionals will be gathering at the Paprec Énergies stand for various conferences. Topics will include: energy recovery units (Tuesday, May 6), the Public site's processes (Wednesday, May 7), "understanding compost" and the plant process (Thursday, May 8), and how to sort waste properly (Friday, May 9 and Sunday, May 11).
Activities for children
Every day at around 6 p.m., children will be able to take part in a range of educational and fun activities in the Village. A "magic recycled paper" workshop with VIP Kids (Tuesday 6), educational games on the theme of the environment and how to explain sorting to children (Wednesday 7 and Saturday 10, this time at 5:30 p.m.), bubble animations (Thursday 8 and Sunday 11), "The Tree of Green Promises" with VIP Kids (Friday 9) and "Totem of the Sea" with VIP Kids (Saturday 10). In addition, on Monday May 12 at 10 a.m., the Village will host the opening of the Festival Langues Arts et Cultures. Numerous activities will be organized until 5:30 p.m. by and for schoolchildren from Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin.
Groove Caraïbe and Retro Si Tol
Needless to say, the Village wouldn't be up to the public's expectations without a program of festive and musical events, every evening from 9pm. Caribbean music will be in the spotlight throughout the week, with two "Groove Caraïbe" evenings (Tuesday 6 and Friday 9), Double J on the decks (Thursday 8) and TiLina and Caroline Style (Sunday 11). On Wednesday May 7, the Ti Ouana Salsa association will present its eagerly awaited "Retro Si Tol". On Saturday 10th, NIB will take to the stage, while the One Love Band will have the honor of performing at the closing concert on Monday May 12th. Also of note is a pirate-themed performance by the Coconuts Girls Show, on Friday May 9 at 6.30pm. The traditional Transat Quiz will be held on Monday May 12 at 6:30pm.
Cocktails and... the race!
On Tuesday May 6, the public is invited to attend the opening cocktail party organized by the local authority at 6.30pm. Other events are planned by partner companies, by invitation only. Last but not least, the race will also play a major role in the Village's activities. When the sailors arrive, of course, the date is still uncertain. Nevertheless, the first boats are expected to dock in Gustavia around May 7 or 8, depending on forecasts. The prize-giving ceremony is already scheduled for Saturday May 10 at 8pm. On Sunday 11th, "during the day", a parade of boats is scheduled to take place in Gustavia Bay. Hopefully, everyone will have arrived by then.
