Avignon is gearing up for its month long Theatre Festival. Avignon is basically known for two things--the Palais des Papes and the Festival in July. In this way, Avignon is basically a city to which fanatics make pilgrimages to indulge their particular zealotry. I'm being a little harsh. It's not just fanatics; it's also hipsters. I noticed this evening that boys in skinny-legged pants had invaded our grocery store. The oddest thing I saw is that the usual band of drunk Gypsy types that hang out at the entrance to the Intramuros were replaced by a troupe of actors practicing their show. I wondered if the actors had somehow chased off the drunks, who seem steadfast in their allegiance to this entrance.
In one day the entire town inside of the walls has been plastered with posters for the shows. There are people all over pushing shopping carts full of cardboard, posters and even ladders in order to use reach all of the available space. I doubt I will see many shows, as they start as early as 11AM, and will probably sell out on weekends. I am still looking forward to the Festival for the change of pace. Avignon is waking up--theatres that were closed for the past 11 months are opening their doors. Restaurants and stores are making an effort to be noticed. Throughout the streets, there are people on stilts or playing the accordion in order to drum up interest in their particular show.
In honor of this over-the-top festival and the sheer gall that Avignon has for hosting it, I will post something on this blog everyday in the month of July. I am inspired by another blog (by my friend Emily's mom, Dana) that is much more graceful in this endeavor that I will be. I guess I will be taking my cue from the feeling of hodge-podge that this festival imparts as you become surrounded by its everywhere-ness (and its posters).
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