2023-09-07 18:23:16
A dozen storks wandering in a field. The traffic, which has been abnormally high lately, does not seem to have disturbed them. A few meters away, however, cars, vans and caravans continue to pass each other. The Grostenquin air base (Moselle) has been hosting the annual gathering of the evangelical mission Life and Light for around ten days until this Sunday.
Not a small event: around 40,000 people from the Gypsy community, from all over France but also from other countries around the world, converged there. “It’s a moment we’ve all been waiting for. We get together as a family and around the word of God,” explains Myriam, who has set up her caravan right next to… a dismantled former military vehicle. “No, no, we’re not selling it, it was there when we arrived,” smiles her husband Papinque, barely finishing his meal.
The old dismantled military vehicle next to which Myriam and Papinque sat. – T. Gagnepain
It is a little after noon this Thursday and the pilgrims are mostly seated, for some under their awning. The time is over for sermons, more or less accessible all day long almost everywhere under tents. But one far surpasses the others, “the largest in Europe”, according to Pastor Joseph “Johnny” Charpentier.
Installed in the middle of the camp, the yellow and blue “great canvas cathedral” can accommodate several thousand believers. Not this morning for the 10 a.m. sermon, the second of the main five of the day, where most of the chairs are empty. Which did not escape the preacher. “All his empty places hurt me. There is nothing more effective than the Bible and prayer”, he says at the microphone in front of a scattered and not always absorbed assembly.
Seated away from the stage, some small groups discuss in peace. “Everyone comes when they want, it’s free here,” explains a man in his thirties, a prayer book in his hand. “We really enjoy meeting brothers at conventions. There are two a year: one in the spring near Gien [à Nevoy, dans le Loiret] and this one, where we meet after we’ve all gone on a mission this summer. It’s an important moment, I’ve never missed one. »
Inside the “great canvas cathedral”, quite empty this Thursday afternoon. – T. Gagnepain / 20 Minutes
The meeting is also, often, an opportunity to see one’s family scattered all over France, travelers oblige. Myriam and Papinque will not say the opposite. Their caravan neighbors are none other than Madame’s brother and sister! “People often place themselves among relatives or friends, there is no plan to settle in,” confirms Pierrick, who runs a refreshment and ice cream truck at the bend of an alley. “We try to have everything on site to avoid people going out all the time and there being commotion around, even if we also go to the village shops. »
The base is organized like a small town. There are a few differences, however: generators are placed everywhere, like chemical toilets on the site. “We empty our caravan tanks into it and a truck passes several times a day to empty them,” says Myriam. On the ground, large lanes have been left for traffic. In slow motion thanks to the many wooden logs arranged everywhere.
“We try to keep it as clean as possible”
In a corner of the base, a “health and care zone” has been set up. “Here, there are tents for civil protection, the red and white crosses, the CPAM, and two for doctors,” shows Jean-Jacques under a huge hangar. Each “resident” can come and consult there. Right next door, the firefighters have also set up shop, as have the gendarmes who even have a mini-police station.
Garbage cans are also picked up regularly. At the beginning of the afternoon, a few bags dot the main arteries, waiting for a next passage. “We try to make it as clean as possible, everyone gets their hands dirty,” continues Pierrick, passing the broom. A panel placed a little further away reminds the most dazed of the rules, just in case. With a clear message for these pilgrims affiliated with Protestantism: “When you respect order, you respect God”.
The message is clear: “When you respect order, you respect God.” – T. Gagnepain / 20 Minutes
And does he respect it outside the airbase? This summer, several local elected officials proclaimed the opposite by openly opposing a return of the gathering, after the editions of 2006, 2015 and 2017. They then mentioned numerous “complaints for damage, threats against people and theft” of their fellow citizens, “the disastrous consequences for the site classified as a Natura 2000 zone”.
On site, the discourse is much more nuanced. All you have to do is stop at Grostenquin, about 5 km from the camp, to find out. “Honestly, apart from Sunday when there were huge traffic jams due to massive arrivals, that doesn’t change much for us,” puts Benoît into perspective. Which evokes all the same and without criticizing it, “a way of living and behaving which is not the same as us”.
“It’s certain that at the supermarket, it’s a little different from usual,” Virginie says next to him. “For example, a lady asked me to help her because she couldn’t read. No worries, I did it. But many people here look at them askance and see them as thieves… We don’t always accept others. »
“They bother me”
Comments which are obviously not shared by everyone. “It’s a city that falls from the sky, even though we don’t have the infrastructure for it,” says a resident. “They bother me,” assures another, before quickly cutting in and giving the slightest argument. “We are happy, we have an increase in turnover of 15% at the moment”, balances Eyyup, who runs the only kebab in this town of around 600 inhabitants. Not the closest to the site.
In Guessling-Héméring, it’s difficult to meet someone to talk about it. Except these three mothers, near the school. “We can’t stand them. They don’t respect anything,” they agree, referring to liberties taken with the Highway Code. “We were also approached by people who wanted to clean our roofs or sell us calendars. It wasn’t very nice! »
“And you know they broke locks and tried to get into the clubhouse at the stadium? Look at the photos,” continues Amandine. “And you have heard of cacaland? It’s a place where they relieve themselves and leave their paper,” adds Laetitia, looking for a more or less recent post on a social network. “But we didn’t have anything stolen, that’s already good!” »
It’s difficult not to see the police presence anyway… “I’ve never seen so many. Even on horseback! », smiles Angélique. “It’s very closely watched this year. » At least until Sunday, the last official day of the convention.
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