Royan Festival
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The Royan Festival (or more fully in French the Festival international d'art contemporain de Royan) was held in Royan, in the department of Charente-Maritime in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwest France from 1964 to 1977. It was a multi-disciplinary annual event, bringing together:
- an important contemporary music festival;
- dance performances;
- theater;
- movies;
- international exhibitions of photographic research;
- exhibitions of visual arts and arts of the East, the Far East and Africa.
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Created in 1963 by Dr. Bernard Gachet, the festival was primarily focused on contemporary music. Its artistic director was Claude Samuel from 1964 to 1972 then Harry Halbreich from 1973 to 1977. The festival was held annually for one week around Easter. Soon, its musical production, the Festival de Royan became as famous as those of Donaueschingen and Venice.[citation needed]
The Olivier Messiaen international piano competition was part of the festival until 1971. In 1972, it was replaced by a flute competition.