The inhabitants of Saint-Tropez (Var) have been waiting for them for three years! At 8 a.m. this Monday, May 16, 21 artillery salvoes will resound at Place de l’Hôtel de Ville to kick off the 2022 bravado. Canceled two years ago due to the health crisis, this tradition, which has been going on since the 16th century, is awaited by the inhabitants of Tropez. May 16, 17 and 18*, dressed as costumes of musketeers, saint guards or sailorsthey celebrate their patron saint, Saint Tropez, by parading through the streets of the village.
More than a religious and military tradition, bravado is for Tropezians “a moment of communion”. “I always say that bravado is not told, it is lived!” warns Serge Astézan, the cépoun, the guardian of traditions. “No one can feel what we Tropezians are going through during this bravado. It’s something indescribable, visceral”. Stéphane Calvani, 52, named major of this bravado, continues: “When we are small, we participate in the bravado to follow our family. Then, we do it out of conviction, love and pride in being Tropezians”.
A city captain… appointed in 2020!
Pride and emotion can also be read in the eyes of Olivier Calvani, 58. He was named city captain in 2020… but for lack of edition, he was never able to honor his title! “I am very impatient like all the people of Tropez. It is so extraordinary to have been named city captain. When the Cépoun came to tell me in 2020, I could not speak for several minutes so much the emotion was strong! But with the successive cancellations, it was not easy. Fortunately, and I must be the only city captain in this case, I was renewed every year as long as I had not had the spade Between hands !”
This Monday, at 3:00 p.m., will take place taking the pike and the flag from the city. A ceremony that will be “necessarily intense” for the two brothers, city captain and major: “Just talking about it and thinking about it sends shivers down my spine. It will stick forever!” says Olivier Calvani.
– Sophie Glotin
* PROGRAM
Monday May 16
8 a.m. – Town Hall Square Artillery salute and aubades to authorities and town captains
3 p.m. – Town Hall Square Taking of pike and flag and blessing of arms
From 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in town Little Bravado
Tuesday May 17
8 a.m. – Town Hall Square Bravado Corps Meeting
9 a.m. – Parish Church Mass of the “Musketeers” followed by the general procession through the city
4 p.m. in town Great Bravado
00:00 Town Hall Square Surrender of pike and flag
Wednesday May 18
8 a.m. – Town Hall Square Bravado Corps Meeting
9 a.m. – Sainte-Anne Chapel Thanksgiving Mass
11:15 a.m. – Jean Despas room Vermouth of honor offered by the city captain