Green Pilot Tours

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Suzanne - Green Pilot Tour

Suzanne, a French trio comprising viola player Maëlle Desbrosses, bass clarinettist Hélène Duret, and guitarist Pierre Tereygeol, embarked on a twelve-day Green Pilot Tour through Estonia and Finland from 17 to 28 July 2024. Dedicated to exploring folk songs of the new century, Suzanne embraced the principles of Slow Touring, minimising their environmental impact while delivering eight captivating performances. This tour was co-produced by Helsinki-based agency Vapaat äänet and the Raahe Jazz on the Beach festival, in partnership with Jazz Estonia, with support from EJN and AJC.

Tour Schedule

Estonia
- 17/07/2024: Arrival in Tallinn by air (Paris-Tallinn) and ferry (Helsinki-Tallinn), rehearsal in Tallinn.
- 18/07/2024: Concert at Triigi Filharmoonia, Saaremaa Island, including a new piece performed with the See Pole See Trio.
- 19/07/2024: Day off on Saaremaa Island with activities including running, swimming, home cooking, and sauna.
- 20/07/2024: Concert at Wabakohvik, Paide.
- 21/07/2024: Concert at Tule Päevad, outdoor stage, Tõrva, followed by sauna and swimming.

Finland
- 22/07/2024: Ferry to Helsinki, concert at Hakasalmen Huvila, Helsinki Jazz.
- 23/07/2024: Train to Seinäjoki, home concert in a backyard as part of Jazzoikoon!.

- Rathe Jazz on the Beach Festival:
-- 24/07/2024: Travel to Raahe, day off with sauna and swimming.
-- 25/07/2024: Concert at Ruukin Kreivinsaari, outdoor stage.
-- 26/07/2024: Library of Raahe (artist meeting) and concert at Ruiskuhuone, outdoor stage.
-- 27/07/2024: Solo performances at Kinosalonki Sofia in the yard.

- 28/07/2024: Departure via train to Helsinki airport and flight to Paris.

Sustainability in Practice
Suzanne's Green Pilot Tour integrated ecological awareness into every aspect of the journey:

- Sustainable travel: Hybrid cars, ferries, and trains were prioritised over less sustainable transport methods. All venues, accommodation, and catering in Raahe were within walking distance, reducing local travel emissions.

- Eco-conscious consumption: The group avoided single-use plastics, consumed locally sourced products, and practised mindful energy use.

- Collaboration: Slow Touring principles emphasised collaboration between the tour manager and artists to align professional practices with personal ecological values.

Artistic and Audience Engagement
Suzanne’s performances, including collaborations with local artists such as the See Pole See Trio in Estonia, brought innovative and environmentally conscious music to diverse audiences. The trio’s efforts extended beyond concerts to active engagement with audiences, raising awareness about sustainable touring and its impact.

Artist Reflections
The artists shared their experiences of aligning their ecological principles with professional touring practices:

- Maëlle Desbrosses: “Green touring reminds us of the importance of consuming intelligently during work trips. It’s about reconciling daily values with touring practices, experiencing them consciously, and doing everything possible even when far from home.”

- Pierre Tereygeol: “I was able to travel and consume consciously, keeping ecological issues in mind and appreciating the shared support for these principles.”

- Hélène Duret: “Green Touring allowed me to put my ecological principles into practice professionally. It was an opportunity to feel aligned with my values and to awaken the consciences of our audiences.”

Feedback and Reflections
The Suzanne Green Pilot Tour demonstrated that it is possible to integrate sustainable practices into music touring, even across multiple countries. Key takeaways included:

- Collaboration is key: Success required strong partnerships, clear communication, and shared goals among organisers, artists, and local communities.

- Mindful practices: Reducing carbon impact and adopting eco-conscious consumption were achievable with thoughtful planning.

- Audience engagement: Raising awareness of sustainability during performances helped foster a sense of shared responsibility.

The Suzanne Green Pilot Tour was a powerful example of how ecological awareness and artistic innovation can coexist. By embracing Slow Touring principles, the trio proved that professional and personal values can align, creating a meaningful cultural and environmental impact.

Links
https://www.vapaataanet.fi/suzannen-green-pilot-kiertue/
https://www.vapaataanet.fi/suzanne-on-the-green-side-of-the-road-in-estonia-and-finland/
https://www.vapaataanet.fi/suzanne-on-the-green-side-of-the-road-in-estonia-and-finland-in-july-2024/

Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/p/C9ZaLCMIDFe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/p/C9kOKFmtqqK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.facebook.com/vapaataanet/posts/pfbid0SjYrFvApGbBKMKVuJrR33Wzp5EVNEfPxVWUNyH5ZfPWasBwdPRHZC95zzjGMFEjcl
https://www.facebook.com/vapaataanet/posts/pfbid02MUCQU32o7oKYiCV7jMxFT14uuNq1jQqAeKoNRmJbo5aVuygGAz2BwJPUZg4ubjVAl
https://www.facebook.com/vapaataanet/posts/pfbid08oykmxVExg5sDTf1VRf1iBmh95LnC4fGmfyRpQ2pCaHzHxLvC8erenb7huw2LQcTl

Case studies

​Organised by jazzahead! in collaboration with Knutpunkt and Semente Cultural Productions, this Green Pilot Tour was a landmark initiative that showcased sustainable touring practices while fostering cultural exchange.
The Ukrainian Institute successfully coordinated a Green Pilot Tour featuring Belgian musicians Ivan Paduart and Patrick Deltenre alongside Ukrainian musicians Igor Zakus and Yaroslav Boris.
The Dutch-Spanish band Alto for Two embarked on a successful Green Pilot Tour across Europe.