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Previous participant: Martina Ellmauer
From: Jazzfestival Saalfelden (Austria)
To: Cully Jazz Festival (Switzerland)
Dates: 5 - 14 April 2024
On the 5th of April, I left Saalfelden early in the morning to be in Cully for the start of the 41st edition of Cully Jazz. After an 8-hour train ride, I arrived in the beautiful village of Cully, surrounded by vineyards and Lake Geneva.
I arrived just a few hours before the start of the festival, but was greeted in the friendliest way by Elise, the administrative director, and Jean-Yves. Together with Eloise, the intern, I spent the first few nights at Jean-Yves' home in the heart of Cully. The office team (most of them volunteers) stay with locals during the festival, as the working hours are long and the after-parties are too good to leave early. Most of the locals are volunteering themselves during the festival.
I spent most of my days with Luana from the communications team. With her I was able to go behind the scenes, for example to the locals' private rehearsal room, the video and photographer's office, backstage areas and so on. She also acted as my translator. My French is far from t, but good, but it's interesting to see how much you can understand without knowing the language.
I was really impressed that the office team (sometimes up to 14 people) work in one room throughout the festival. They're together through all the ups and downs and function as a close-knit family, embodying the festival's ethos of togetherness.
As I ventured out on my own, I encountered a tapestry of experiences that spoke to the festival's diverse offerings, such as body percussion with children, creating your own electronic music song, treasure hunts, la balade musicale,...) Also the range of concerts & different locations were incredible!
From international stars to local heroes, from professional school bands to a school choir and f.e. concert by Le Band Eben-Hézer Lausanne (a musical group made up of residents of the Eben-Hézer Lausanne leisure centre), there was something for everyone!
But amidst the jubilation, Cully Jazz also had moments of profound significance. One of these was an afternoon dedicated to the deaf community, offering them an intimate encounter with music, an initiative dear to the heart of a local doctor and her team. And they didn't stop there! These amazing ambassadors of the arts ventured into hospitals and schools, spreading joy and inspiration.
Cully Jazz is the epitome of humanity! It brings together families, volunteers and festival-goers of all ages to have a great time with fantastic music, delicious food, fine wine and great conversation.
Cully Jazz is more than a musical event - it's a celebration of community!
Thanks to EJN, Creative EU, an the team of Cully Jazz for all this unforgettable memories and experiences. Special thanks to Luan - her creativity & friendliness is a gift & really inspiring. And of course huge thanks to Elise & Jean- Yves for having me.
To: Cully Jazz Festival (Switzerland)
Dates: 5 - 14 April 2024
On the 5th of April, I left Saalfelden early in the morning to be in Cully for the start of the 41st edition of Cully Jazz. After an 8-hour train ride, I arrived in the beautiful village of Cully, surrounded by vineyards and Lake Geneva.
I arrived just a few hours before the start of the festival, but was greeted in the friendliest way by Elise, the administrative director, and Jean-Yves. Together with Eloise, the intern, I spent the first few nights at Jean-Yves' home in the heart of Cully. The office team (most of them volunteers) stay with locals during the festival, as the working hours are long and the after-parties are too good to leave early. Most of the locals are volunteering themselves during the festival.
I spent most of my days with Luana from the communications team. With her I was able to go behind the scenes, for example to the locals' private rehearsal room, the video and photographer's office, backstage areas and so on. She also acted as my translator. My French is far from t, but good, but it's interesting to see how much you can understand without knowing the language.
I was really impressed that the office team (sometimes up to 14 people) work in one room throughout the festival. They're together through all the ups and downs and function as a close-knit family, embodying the festival's ethos of togetherness.
As I ventured out on my own, I encountered a tapestry of experiences that spoke to the festival's diverse offerings, such as body percussion with children, creating your own electronic music song, treasure hunts, la balade musicale,...) Also the range of concerts & different locations were incredible!
From international stars to local heroes, from professional school bands to a school choir and f.e. concert by Le Band Eben-Hézer Lausanne (a musical group made up of residents of the Eben-Hézer Lausanne leisure centre), there was something for everyone!
But amidst the jubilation, Cully Jazz also had moments of profound significance. One of these was an afternoon dedicated to the deaf community, offering them an intimate encounter with music, an initiative dear to the heart of a local doctor and her team. And they didn't stop there! These amazing ambassadors of the arts ventured into hospitals and schools, spreading joy and inspiration.
Cully Jazz is the epitome of humanity! It brings together families, volunteers and festival-goers of all ages to have a great time with fantastic music, delicious food, fine wine and great conversation.
Cully Jazz is more than a musical event - it's a celebration of community!
Thanks to EJN, Creative EU, an the team of Cully Jazz for all this unforgettable memories and experiences. Special thanks to Luan - her creativity & friendliness is a gift & really inspiring. And of course huge thanks to Elise & Jean- Yves for having me.
