La Fête des Vignerons — an “intangible cultural heritage” (as recognized by UNESCO)
Once a generation since 1797 on the ‘Place du Marché’ in Vevey. Most recent: 1955, 1977, 1999, & 2019
Complete history on the site of the Confrérie des Vignerons.
2019 edition . . . a 20,000 seat stadium constructed for
20 performances. 5500 voluntary ‘figurants’
for whom the costume budget is CHF12m
Total budget just over CHF 100m, about double that of 1999. It is known that the project has ended with a serious financial deficit, but let’s not lose track of the magnificent accomplishments of this gigantic undertaking; and to the incredible heart & soul investment of thousands of unpaid actors, musicians, choristers, and other volunteers.
Photo: © luca-carmagnola/Fête-des-Vignerons
Rise and fall of the Vevey arena — a documentary in motion.
Join in the development of our documentary. Posts here.
Dedicated technology pages
Tech 1. sound & video
Tech 2. main LED stage ramp
Tech 3. raising stairways
Tech 4. overhead cables
1:30 scale model construction & integration
Model 1. mainstage ramp (completed Apr2020) ramp integration
Model 2. raising stairway (completed Apr2021) stairway integration
Video segments – “above the surface”
Segment one is of the ambience in Vevey, around the arena, during Thurgovie and Appenzeler days. It serves also as a teaser for some of the arena’s technical aspects which are forming the major focus of the developing documentary. Panel 2 remains mostly above the surface, but goes just a bit behind the scenes to describe some elements of the arena’s technology. In panel 3, our central stage ramp model gets integrated into an otherwise “live” video of the arena. Panel 4 video shows taking down of one of the eight 30 meter high sound masts. The fifth video follows removal of the lake piles and the deconstruction of the lake walkway and the “Terrasses de la Confrérie” which the pillars supported. Panel six integrates video and modelling techniques of the LED stage and its ramp from different angles including very low ones – and set into “cool jazz” ambiance.
Video segments – “beneath the surface”
Panel (7) of this series introduces going “beneath the surface” through images of arena deconstruction and photography using models. Panel 8 shows construction and integration progress (March2021) on our raising stairway model. Panel 9 is our LATEST (April2021) presentation of construction and integration of the completed 1:30 scale model.
Technology: SOUND/VIDEO – main RAMP – STAIRWAYS – overhead CABLES
Models: main RAMP, STAIRWAY
Integration: main RAMP, STAIRWAY
Project: home. Posts: vevey arena
