[REVISION HISTORY]

Lavagem de Madeleine festival in Paris

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2026-09-11 23:41 UTC → 2026-09-12 05:42 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The 25th edition of the Lavagem de Madeleine festival, a major Afro-Brazilian cultural and religious event in Paris, was expected to draw approximately 60,000 participants. Recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage in France and integrated into UNESCO’s Slave Route, the festival was inspired by the Lavagem da Igreja do Bonfim in Salvador, Bahia. As the event approached, organizers faced a challenge when the parish priest of La Madeleine, Monsignor Patrick Chauvet, denied permission to perform the traditional ritual washing of the church steps. In response to this veto, the festival proceeded by moving the ritual to the public area in front of the church. Organizers expressed a desire to maintain a dialogue with the religious institution despite the restriction. The festivities include a parade starting from Place de la République, featuring samba, maracatu, and capoeira. Musical performances will proceed as planned, headlined by singer Mariene de Castro and Robertinho Chaves, with additional artists including Jau, Gildaa, and soprano Lorena Pires. While organizers expressed regret over the priest’s decision, the Archdiocese of Paris has not provided a specific reason for the restriction.

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