A mission in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Maurice Ravel, France’s most internationally renowned and performed French composer, created innovative works inspired by a global outlook. His music reflects influences from European cultures—Russian, Germanic, Austrian, Spanish and Basque—as well as to Eastern traditions. He also drew inspiration from America, particularly jazz.
Maurice Ravel symbolizes both the avant-garde and respect for heritage, freedom and exacting standards, bridging the gap between classical music and works inspired by music of popula traditions.
With this spirit of musical openness, Festival Ravel operates throughout the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, working closely with local cultural organizations to promote concerts, masterclasses, residencies, new creations and performances, while building bridges with other artistic milieus.

Rentrée en musique à l'école Marinela de Ciboure | 3 septembre 2024 © Jean-Pierre Lehman
2024-2025
L’Enfant et les Sortilèges: an educational project at Marinela public school in Ciboure
In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Maurice Ravel’s birth, Festival Ravel is offering an exciting musical and artistic programme for year 5 and year 6 students at Ciboure’s Marinela public school. The project revolves around L’Enfant et les Sortilèges, Ravel’s major lyrical fantasy composed in collaboration with Colette, the author of the libretto.
With the support of the Opéra National de Bordeaux, students will discover the different aspects of creating a lyric production through regular workshops led by professionals throughout the school year. This journey will lead them to stage their own performance of L’Enfant et les Sortilèges, accompanied by four musicians and eight singers from the Ravel Academy.
The idea emerged from Festival Ravel’s mission to introduce children to the world of classical music, and to the work of Maurice Ravel in particular. The town of Ciboure, a partner of the Festival and the birthplace of the musician in 1875, has enthusiastically offered its support, and Marinela school’s teaching staff have eagerly joined the project as partners.
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Calendar
September 3, 2024: Rentrée en musique
October and November 2024: Sessions were held with the two classes with all teachers and artists
January to May 2025: Regular workshops with the entire team (singing, scenography, set and costume design, etc.)
April 10, 2025: Day trip to the Opéra de Bordeaux where students attended a performance of Ravel’s Ma Mère l’Oye with a backstage and set and costume workshop visit.
June 2 to 6, 2025: Residency in Ciboure for all artists and workshops with children
June 6, 2025: Public performance at Espace Polyvalent de Ciboure (version by Didier Puntos, courtesy of Éditions Durand)
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The professionals who will oversee the entire project
Alphonse Cemin, musical conception and direction
Agnès Denneulin, vocal coach
Agathe Cemin, set design
Compagnie KiLiKA, props and costume design
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On September 3, 2024, the Rentrée en musique kicked off this adventure: a look back at this first meeting led by Bertrand Chamayou !
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Project supported by the Festival Ravel, and run in conjunction with the Marinela school team and the town of Ciboure.
With the support of the Opéra National de Bordeaux.

© Ingrid Bachelier
2023
“Mille et un… Boléro”: schoolchildren discovered Ravel with KiLiKA Company and Festival Ravel.
As part of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department’s “Growing up with Culture” call for projects, the Festival Ravel and KiLiKA Company teamed up to run the “Mille et un… Boléro” project for the 7th grade red class at the Saint-Joseph Middle School in Bayonne. The project ran from December 2022 to May 2023.

© KiLiKA
2021
Company KiLiKA & Festival Ravel
Commission by Festival Ravel, the KiLiKA Company created “Parade” to open Festival Ravel, a moment of true connection and engagement with the community that revitalized the Festival.
The project involved collaborative workshops led by the KiLiKA Company and choreographer Jean-Philippe Leremboure. From July 7 to 25, participants of all ages helped design the marionettes, while preparations for the parade took place from August 13 to 22. “Parade” premiered on August 22, marking the Festival’s grand opening.
Worshop Teaser © Lucie Beaugendre for KiLiKA
Residency in Louhossoa in partnership with the Communauté d’agglomération Pays basque and Festival Ravel.

© Komcébo
On Sunday August 22, the 2021 edition of the Festival Ravel opened its doors in style: the Parade brought Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Ciboure to life, as giant puppets of a young and older Ravel paraded down the streets – the local boy turned world icon -, along with his mother, Stravinsky, and Saint-Saëns. These figures were specially celebrated at the 2021 edition of Festival Ravel to commemorate the 50th and 100th anniversaries of their deaths, respectively. The parade featured traditional musicians, Maika Etxekopare, Paxkal Indo, the Grand Ensemble de Cuivres en Pays Basque, young people from the Ravel Academy, and aerial dancer Corinne Cella.
I return to the quay where I was born, wandering the streets of Ciboure with Gachoucha, listening to the vibrant songs of the sailors in my beloved town, sailing for months on the ice of the Saint Laurent. I return to the roots of my music, strolling under the balconies of Donibane. Everything here nourishes and inspires me: the poetry of the language, the pure musicality of the people, the ocean of sounds and lights, the swaying boats, the fisherman, and the fandango of our proud kaskarots. Come, my friends, my Apaches! Come, dear Igor Stravinsky, dear Camille Saint-Saëns, ignite us with your Firebird and your delicate Swan! Let us intoxicate ourselves, if you will, in the shimmering sun of the brass in my Boléro and the aerial grace of Ida’s dance.
Jean-Philippe Leremboure, choreographer of Parade.