| December 1997 / January 1998 – N° 31 |
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CITIES
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SAINT – DENIS
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We talk to the mayor of Saint-Denis
“A great way to get on the map”
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| Population: |
92,000 |
| Stadium: |
Stade de France |
| Capacity: |
80,000 seats |
| Schedule: |
5 matches in the first round: Brazil-Scotland 10 June, the Netherlands – Belgium 13 June, France – Saudi Arabia 18 June, Italy – Austria 23 June, Romania – Tunisia 26 June. A round of sixteen game 28 June, a quarter – final 3 July, a semi – final 8 July, and the Final on 12 July.
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Patrick BRAOUEZEC
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| In Saint-Denis the World Cup is being seen as a real social project. How are the townspeople getting behind the event? |
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The World Cup project began with the building of the Stade de France and the infrastructures that go with it. We wanted an urban stadium with connections to the other parts of the city. Today, various other schemes are also nearing completion: two train stations, a new-look metro station, new access routes, greenery to cheer up the sides of the motorway, links between the stadium and the city, and the first elements of the new Stade de France neighbourhood. Taken as a whole, the various projects have meant an injection of FF 950 million into the local economy, with more than 700 jobs and training schemes being created. This is the kind of momentum we want to pursue and build on, using the World Cup as a tool for social and economic development.
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The building of the Stade de France is part of a huge urban project which also incorporates the Saint-Denis canal, a reminder of Saint-Denis’ industrial heritage
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| What sort of entertainment is in store for the thousands of visitors expected? |
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We have put together a 33-day entertainment programme with several objectives. Firstly, we want everybody living in Saint-Denis and its immediate area to be able to join in the celebration. Secondly, we want visitors to the city to be able to relax, mix with the locals, and enjoy what the city has to offer in terms of culture. Lastly, we shall be offering the various visiting supporters many opportunities to have a good time.
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| What is the city doing so that the World Cup dynamic continues after the actual event? |
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The best way to prolong “World Cup fever” is to get everyone thoroughly caught up in the event. If, on the day of the Final, Saint-Denis dwellers, visitors, financial backers, fans, onlookers and television viewers all round the world can say, ” I took part”, then we’ll really have done our job. And of course we’ll continue to put the stadium to good use and to develop the city, but always in the prime interests of the people of Saint-Denis. For this reason we are doing all we can to breath life into the stadium neighbourhood. Naturally, attracting a club side to come and play at Saint-Denis is an integral part of this. And beyond that, we want to turn the complex into a sporting landmark. Ongoing too, is the urban plan to set up businesses, shops, public amenities, housing projects and so on, on the Plaine Saint-Denis. The World Cup is a marvellous way for Saint-Denis to get on the map. It will be an economic springboard that we intend to use to the best possible effect.
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ASK FOR A PROGRAMME!
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A large number of entertainments are being planned at Saint-Denis during the World Cup. Here are a few examples:
- Big concerts in the illustrious setting of the Basilica and Légion d’Honneur school by internationally-known artists such as Barbara Hendricks, Mstislav Rostropovich, José Van Dam, Dee Dee Bridgwater, Didier Lockwood, Jean-Claude Casadesus.
- A show “with a difference” by Philippe Decouflé in a popular part of the city.
- 32 evening readings on the theme of travel, organised by Jacques Weber with Emmanuelle Béart, Francis Huster, Daniel Auteuil and Isabelle Huppert.
- The “Village du monde”, a general meeting place, restaurant, musical venue and place to watch games on a giant screen.
- A walking race between Parc des Princes and the Stade de France.
- “Banlieues du Monde”, a fortnight of sporting and musical events with young people from city suburbs all over the world.
- A children’s village where toys and games from around the world can be found. There will also be a big “carnavalcade” crossing the city on 20 June, which is presently in the making in neighbourhood schools.
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