A fantastic program has been concocted, a delicious stew that is diverse, exciting, playful, avant-garde, and imaginative all at once. Events and exhibitions are organized around three distinct periods and themes.

First episode–from January to May: “Marseille Welcomes the World” Urban culture (music, literature, video, sports, new technologies, street theater, etc.) will be presented via events in several towns, as well as expositions, shows, and artistic journeys of all types.

Second episode–from June to September: “Marseille and Provence in Open Air” How can one resist when dozens of festivals are begging you to attend with exceptional artists in magical settings? All this in soft night air of Provence! Here are some of their names: Festival of Dance and Multiple Arts in Marseille, Five Continents Jazz Festival, International Documentary Festival, International Photography Encounters, MIMI Festival, Martigues Festival, Roque d’Anthéron Piano Festival, Emperi Festival, and the “Rhône-ish Desires” Festival.
Third episode–from September to December: “The Thousand Faces of Marseille and Provence”
The accent is placed on “living together” through the thoughts and artwork of the emblematic names of Mediterranean culture: (Averroes, Albert Camus, le Corbusier, Pasolini, Pistoletto, etc.). Equal weight is placed on conviviality and the legendary cuisine of Provence, as well as magical settings for children.

This abundance of cultural events in Marseilles and all over Provence during 2013 should not make visitors forget the timeless treasures of the region. For example, the exceptional natural sites along the coast and in the countryside (the fiords or calanques of Marseille, the Camargue, the Alpilles mountains; the Sainte-Victoire, Luberon, Maures, and Esterel massifs; Mount Ventoux; the Gorges of Verdon; the Ecrins, Mercantour, Queyras, and other regional parks, etc.). Or the architectural jewels (the Pope’s Palace in Avignon, the Roman theater in Orange, the Roman arena and theater in Arles, the Montmajour Abbey, etc.). Artists have always admired, illustrated, and sang the wonders of Provence, just like today’s visitors who come in quest of beauty. And who go beyond the clichés of climate and the Mediterranean art of living, and the good humor of its inhabitants, to appreciate the many facets of this beautiful region.

Doesn’t the local legend say that God molded this region with the most beautiful leftovers of creation and created Paradise?

Marseille 2013 (www.mp2013.fr), Bouches du Rhône tourism department (www.visitprovence.com), Marseille tourism office (www.marseille-tourisme.com)

Photos © Image librement inspirée de l’oeuvre de Daniel Knorr réalisée en 1998 dans le port de la Pointe-Rouge à Marseille - Motionhouse – Machine Dance © Stephen Tanner and Morgan Lowndes - Tournage avec marionnettes fabriquées pour «Cabaret Crusades : a path to Cairo» du vidéaste Wael Shawky en résidence à la Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs à Aubagne. ©Ludovic Alussi - L’envol, 2011 Jean-Marc Munerelle ©AkramBELAID - Palais Longchamp ©VilledeMarseille - Carriole “A tout’ vapeur”, conception Jean-Pierre LARROCHE / Cie Les ateliers du spectacle & Christophe DUFAU, chef étoilé / restaurant “Les Bacchanales” à Vence (06) ©Ludovic Alussi - Roesciare, 1970 ©Giuseppe Penone - The i bird ©Remed - El Djoudour CIE La Baraka ©Eric Boudet

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