The Fête du costume is a tradition that has become an art. It can be considered to have originated in 1903, under the impetus of Frédéric Mistral (Provençal poet 1830-1914), when he created the Festo Vierginenco. All the girls were invited to a ribbon and dress ceremony, symbolising their passage to adulthood (until the age of 15, they could only wear the costume known as Mireille). Worried about the future of the Arlésienne costume, Mistral wanted to make it official and ensure that the wearing of the ‘dame’ costume was not only a symbol, but also an honour and an event. It was a stroke of genius! In 1903, 18 young girls responded to this call. In 1904, there were 350 of them, and the festival took place in the Théâtre Antique. Since then, several hundred girls have paraded through Arles and gathered for a dazzling and rare finale at the Théâtre Antique. The 72 girls who took the dress and ribbon at the last “Festo Vierginenco” will also be presented at the Théâtre Antique. Every three years, this is the day on which the new Queen is enthroned before the people of Provence, and she gives a speech in response to the speech of the Queen who has just completed her duties.
This year will be an exceptional year, with the election of the new Queen.
Along with the Pegoulado, this is one of the most important moments in Provençal sublimation.
