Besançon. Comtoise Fair: "The Mysteries of Pompeii" in 2026, a story that "fascinates many people"

Last year, on Sunday, you announced that the United Kingdom placed the 96th edition of the Franche-Comté Fair in the top three historically, with 148,300 visitors. Did Cuba do better?

"No, unfortunately. With 132,500 visitors, Cuba is on par with the pre-Covid editions from 2017 to 2019. It was a complicated week. We were scheduled too late in May. Several things worked against us: Mother's Day, a celebration that's difficult to organize at a fair like this since it's not the ideal location, the two previous long weekends during which people have already spent a lot of money elsewhere, a lack of finances for families, paychecks only arriving at the end of the month, difficult weather, a rotten Wednesday, the rugby match on the first Saturday, the football match on the last Saturday, and the heatwave on Friday. However, the gastronomy and the lawnmower and spa vendors did a good job."

Which days were busiest?

"Ascension Thursday, with 35,000 admissions. It remained fluid because the visitors were spread out well throughout the day. Mondays and Tuesdays, days of free admission until 1:30 p.m., also attracted a lot of people, especially among the elderly."

Are you disappointed that you didn't achieve the goals you set for yourself? Did the Cuban village and its restaurant live up to their promises?

"I'm disappointed, there's no doubt about it. Because we're motivated competitors. My teams have been managing with this in mind for 14 years. We didn't achieve our goals. Overall, it's still a great fair. '' Tierra caliente,'' our show , attracted a lot of people. The ''Palador de la Habana,'' run by our catering teams, sold 2,800 meals in total, including 750 on Ascension Day alone, 25% more than in the United Kingdom last year. The menu was a unanimous success. I hear the criticism about the lack of artisans on this Caribbean island. This is explained by the dramatic economic context for its inhabitants. There's great poverty there. Bringing them in is almost impossible. As for cigars, we don't have a license to sell them. Cuban beer is unpurchasable. We were unable to import their products."

There were drinking problems and some disorder on Ascension Day. How could you combat this problem in the future?

"It's a recurring problem at big events. But I'm not sure there were more than in previous years. Our security guards are doing their job very well. Each exhibitor is responsible for the quantities they offer. In our bars, we no longer serve those who are too drunk. This was the problem that unfolded Thursday evening between one of my waitresses and a violent exhibitor. She is on sick leave for the beating she received. Her attacker was removed and banned from returning. We will file a complaint this Monday. We handle all incidents in the same way."

Have you confirmed the guest of honor country for next year?

"Yes. It won't be a country , but a region, that of Naples, in Italy. The chosen theme will be ''The Mysteries of Pompeii and its Neapolitan Village,'' a unique exhibition event that Philippe Bertin will create. Pompeii fascinates many people. There are plenty of cultural and gastronomic things to do. And we will have an extra day for the Comtoise Fair. It will begin on Friday, May 8, and end on Sunday, May 17, 2026."