In Bern, mayors don’t hold back wishes

We were deprived of it in 2021 and 2022, forcing barrier gestures (also for celebration) in most places. If they are still recommended, they are no longer an obstacle to organizing these holiday events. “Here we go again,” smiles Alain Sanz, mayor of Rebénacq and president of ADM 64, the association of departmental mayors. He lost count of the invitations received, saying, “I have to delegate a little between the Basque Country and Béarn to answer them all. This is a huge comeback. We had lost our habit,” adds the city council member.

First of all, for new mayors

However, the swearing-in ceremony is a deep-rooted tradition and, with some in the hot seat, “it’s something we don’t want to disappear,” said Salies-de-Béarn mayor Thierry Cabanne. . This Thursday, she would reconnect with the custom, though it was a public first for her. Since 2020, the mayor has been able to send his wishes virtually, by video. A frustrating exercise, “not very sympathetic in front of the camera …

We were deprived of it in 2021 and 2022, forcing barrier gestures (also for celebration) in most places. If they are still recommended, they are no longer an obstacle to organizing these holiday events. “Here we go again,” smiles Alain Sanz, mayor of Rebénacq and president of ADM 64, the association of departmental mayors. He lost count of the invitations received, saying, “I have to delegate a little between the Basque Country and Béarn to answer them all. This is a huge comeback. We had lost our habit,” adds the city council member.

First of all, for new mayors

However, the swearing-in ceremony is a deep-rooted tradition and, with some in the hot seat, “it’s something we don’t want to disappear,” said Salies-de-Béarn mayor Thierry Cabanne. . This Thursday, she would reconnect with the custom, though it was a public first for her. Since 2020, the mayor has been able to send his wishes virtually, by video. A frustrating exercise, “not very nice in front of the camera”.

This time friendship was declared “and it is more pleasant to communicate with people directly. There are also all the exchanges we can do around cake and drinks after the speech. This is an appointment where we have to meet with the municipal council in front of the residents and all living forces of the municipality.”

Therefore, a tradition, “but also a need. People have a desire to talk and meet. We saw this at home this summer with Art en Vrac, Les Sottises or even Fête du sel”. Interviewed on Thursday, Thierry Cabanne expected to see more people than usual at the Rotonde.

“For the first time in 52 years, I will organize an oath-taking ceremony. It is important to see each other again.”

In any case, the question of annulment did not arise due to the new crisis, energy and therefore budget, which decided to save some mayors in France from swearing-in ceremonies. In the Basque Country, the mayor of Bayonne made this choice (see box). In Berne, so far as the best informed know, the present situation did not call into question any pre-arranged meeting.

Even better, some municipalities that aren’t accustomed to swearing-in ceremonies are getting started. In Escou, Jean Casabonne, president of the association of village mayors in the department. “I have been the mayor for 52 years. This is the first time I will organize a ceremony. It will be Saturday. We feel it’s important to see each other again after all these years worried about Covid. It’s better than the letters we send,” the city councilor explains.

Even in small towns “there is always contact with the residents”, the need for this meeting was confirmed to him, especially by observing new residents moving to every demonstration, “seeking to integrate.” Everyone seems more attached to their village than before. Maybe it’s the result of Covid, “says Jean Casabonne. In the end, he also did not hesitate in the face of tightening budgets. “We are not a money-saving cake and a few drinks. On the other hand, we are still waiting for New Year’s gifts from the state! »

Vigilance or gathering?

In Sauvagnon, Bernard Peyroulet would also experience his first wishes “face to face” this Thursday in front of the live forces. And he was happy. The dematerialized promises of 2021 and 2022 did not fully correspond to the spirit of “citizen participation” promoted in rural politics. “Although we never lost contact with the population, we didn’t have the opportunity to talk much to explain our method, how our projects are developing or where we want to project our village.” . Dreams are also a showcase for the dynamism of a municipality, so the mayor did not hesitate to restart the event.

However, without going as far as Bayonne’s radical decision, Bernard Peyroulet recognizes more vigilance “in line with what we advocate with the circular economy”. So, seasonal or local products on the festive table “not champagne, for example Madiran or Jurançon”. As for Christmas decorations, their consumption has been observed since December 15 and will be removed from Monday. “But we must weigh the stakes between the vigilance we are committed to and the need to come together in these difficult times,” emphasizes Sauvagnonnais.

“Each elected official does his best. I understand those who don’t have a ceremony. But it remains a rare moment in an important year for elected officials and the public. After a health crisis that isolates people, they want moments to meet, discuss, share,” says Alain Sanz.

In Mirepeix, Mayor Stefan Virto experienced this at the end of November for a Christmas seniors’ dinner. “I have never seen so many people in fifteen years. With guests who have not come before. People were very happy to come together. It is important to continue our activities as before Covid”.

Vows and other holidays

In Mirepeix, as in some other places, we use this beginning of the year to combine demonstrations. So taking these vows on January 13th will also be new residents, newborns, or gold, diamond, or platinum weddings. “And since we are inviting interested people from 2022, but also from 2021 and 2020, it will be an opportunity for more flow,” confirms the city council member. The only doubt still plaguing him is not the budget, which “won’t be loaded with a few bottles, crisps and peanuts”, but the ever-present threat of Covid. Therefore, masks and barrier gestures will be recommended for the most fragile.

“These ceremonies are also a form of support for the local economy,” Alain Sanz finally recalls. “They have positive implications, especially for catering companies.” The latter also welcomes a return to a slightly more normal life (read below). Wishing it would last, of course.

The supposed sacrifice at Bayonne

Bayonne mayor Jean-René Etchegaray conveyed his wishes to the population through a one-minute-22-second video published on the city’s website. All on alert. It was this new issue that prompted the city council to cancel the planned swearing-in ceremony. The mayor announced his choice in mid-November. In particular, he explained to our colleagues from the southwestern Basque Country that “in difficult times like the one we are entering, I believe there are a certain number of things we can do without.” Dreams are therefore part of it, a sacrifice that Jean-René Etchegaray has accepted as his municipality embarks on a program to limit the City’s operating costs. “It also means giving up a certain number of events,” said the mayor, reminding that the budget for wishes can vary between 10,000 and 20,000 euros.

Good news for diners, but…

Activity returning to pre-Covid levels. Caterers of the Pau agglomeration contacted this Friday note. Desires are certainly part of it, but the restart was based on the organization of congresses, weddings (new ones and eclipses) from mid-2022, “in fact all event services”, agrees Philippe Camdeborde. , Paud Toques and Gourmandises.

“We finished 2022 very well and it continues. There is no vacancy in the calendar at the moment.” “We’ve seen a resurgence, we’ve seen more inquiries than last year,” said Justine, Pau sales representative at Jardins & Saveurs, who will be serving up the wish buffet in Pau this Friday. Municipalities and companies that continue this activity.

The downside

Luc Degans, manager of Traiteur du Pont-Long in Serres-Castet, “During Covid we looked for new markets and it’s true that companies appreciate more and more to organize greetings at home”. He also observes the reception of orders. But there is another side of the coin. Who says more activity, says more energy consumption. Just like bakers or restaurateurs, caterers have to deal with rising prices and raw materials.

“We are on a razor’s edge. Our borders are shrinking, but we are coping. We are happy to work again. For now, I prefer to see the glass as half full,” emphasizes Luc Degans, who, like his colleagues, had to partially pass on the increases to the prices of his services. “We had to increase our rates, but our customers’ budgets are also tighter. We try to adapt by offering different formulas,” notes Justine of Jardins & Saveurs.

“It remains a big problem. Our contracts were signed long before the increases, at prices we could no longer touch. It’s big for us when we lose two euros per cover. And now we have no vision for the next few months. Finally we pulled our heads out of the water and they brought us back. I hope that the government will be aware of the situation”, – comments Philippe Camdeborde.