FRANCE 98 – Marseille

The Oldest City in France

In 1999, one year ahead of schedule, Marseille will be first to kick off the celebrations to mark the third Millennium, in commemorating, with great pomp and circumstance, the city’s own 26th centenary!

The city first came into existence 2,600 years ago, born of the union between Protis, a Greek sailor from Phocaea, and the beautiful Gyptis, daughter of the king of the Ligurians. They settled on the shore of what is today called the “Vieux Port” ( the Old Harbour). This was Massalia which became the first urban outpost in France. Over the years, Marseille dwellers have always been proud of their city’s distinctive character. Inside the famous Cosquer cave is evidence that Marseille’s first inhabitants lived there some 28,000 years ago! Today Marseille is also seen in the context of its beautiful setting, an attractive region containing 111 villages, charming hills nearby and a jagged coastline of bays and inlets.

Marseille’s New Image
aving now turned the corner after a number of difficult years, Marseille is ready to embark on the third millennium with great verve and a brand new image. Continuing the traditional role as a cross-roads between northern Europe, the Mediterranean and the East, the city is presently being “restructured” around the harbour area: the Euro-Mediterranean economic development and planning operation will make Marseille a hub in southern Europe for international trade and decision-making. While the overall plan for the city is designed to develop and renovate areas most in need of attention, the renovation of the city centre has already produced results with improvements in housing, the building of a university and student facilities, the emergence of new businesses and the innovation of “theme streets” such as the recently inaugurated “rue de la mode” [fashion street] near the Opera House.

The cultural Capital of the South
ver recent years Marseille has put on dance, theatre, music exhibitions, as well as street art, earning itself the reputation as the Euro-Mediterranean capital for artistic creation. The people of Marseille have always been greatly attached to their opera house and to the Roland Petit National Ballet Company; it is in fact the city with the record for the highest number of theatres per head of population in France. And today, there is more cultural enterprise in the city than ever before, including concerts, festivals and major projects such as the “Grand Library” and the “Cité des Arts.”

Marseille in the run up to the World cup
he World Cup in Marseille, where football is an integral part of the average citizen’s everyday life, is symbolic indeed. And so in preparation for this momentous event, the majestic and newly renovated Velodrome stadium will play host on 4 December, 1997, to the draw that will decide the fate of the 32 qualifying teams for the Finals. But the World Cup is also a prelude to another grand and symbolic event: the City of Marseille celebrates its 2,600th birthday a few months later in 1999!

Welcome!
n preparation for these events, Marseille has composed a comprehensive programme including a communication campaign designed to motivate and involve the population of the city to join together in a spirit of welcome. So that everyone who lives in Marseille realises just how important the World Cup is, the municipal authorities will be installing six multi-branch signposts on the main roads leading into the city and at the Parc Chanot near the stadium. In Marseille this summer, no one could possibly fail to hear the news that the most important sporting event of the millennium is coming to the city!

Building up to the draw
orld Cup fever should reach a pitch on 3 December with a big light show over the Old Harbour and will culminate on 4 December at the Velodrome stadium where thousands will gather for the Finals draw.

Marseille has planned a number of communication events and presentations in the first half of 1998, aimed at maintaining the level of excitement and interest right up to the World Cup. This will include the Marseille Carnival focusing on the nations which are to play World Cup matches in Marseille in Summer.

A Hot Summer Ahead !
ong-term forecasts for the Summer of 1998 show that things are bound to heat up in Marseille where six activity centres will be operating full-time for a month. As well as football sites such as the Velodrome stadium and nearby area, the Parc Borely will be the venue for a cultural adventure traveling “around the world in just one country,” a voyage of initiation across the world. The Old Harbour will feature crafts and food stalls by day, plus music and dancing by night. The Prado Beach will be set aside for young people to play sport, listen to music or watch the matches. And for business, the Palais du Pharo will be transformed into a large centre for commerce and contacts of all kinds, presenting a display case for the dynamic forces at work in Marseille.