Dijon orchestra cost of living protest, Digi Mart USA News (Dijon, France): “We were inspired by the Orchestre du Nouveau Monde, which performed in Paris,” explains Alice Lemettre. “I am a violinist and I am in my second year at the Dijon Higher School of Music,” adds the 23-year-old.
On Thursday, November 5, she was among about one hundred musicians gathered at Place de la Libération in Dijon to form a temporary orchestra for the day of mobilization against the high cost of living.
“There are professional musicians, but also amateurs,” the violinist says. “It is important to demonstrate.
Doing it through music brings people together differently, sparks exchanges and shows that it is possible to make demands peacefully,” she continues.
Amandine Granger is a traverse flute teacher at the Chaumont conservatory. She lives in Dijon and wanted to protest differently by joining the temporary orchestra assembled at Place de la Libération for the November 5 mobilization.
The initiative also appealed to the public. “It’s a very good idea, it softens the mood,” comments Daniel Gauthey, a 71-year-old retiree from La Poste.
In the ensemble, Amandine Granger plays the traverse flute. “I teach at the Chaumont conservatory,” explains the 40-year-old teacher.
“I live in Dijon and, when I saw this call on social media, I made myself available,” she recounts, after performing “Bella ciao,” the anti-fascist anthem.
“I support this movement of demands and wanted to give it visibility by playing with my fellow one-day musicians. It is a very beautiful experience, one to repeat.
The struggle must continue. The situation is too serious in France and wages are not high enough,” concludes the participant.
