behind the scenes of the concert “United against the earthquake” on France 2

The soft notes of Fazil Say clash with the images in the background. On the giant screens of theOlympia parade the rubble of the earthquakes that devastated southern Turkey and northern Syria on February 6th. A natural disaster that killed more than 50,000 people and affected 7 million children, according to theUnicef. As for Ukraine just a year ago, France Televisions organizes this evening a special device to raise funds.

A charity concert in partnership with the Foundation of France which will be broadcast this evening, from 8:40 p.m. on France 2. “The public service must respond present and mobilize to raise funds”explains Arnaud Ngatcha, director of special operations for the television group.

Which artists have responded?

For “appeal to the generosity of the French”, the chain left its best slot on the grid, prime time. Before giving way to the charity concert, a thirteen-minute report, shot by the news teams, will be presented to viewers. A way to support the cause and highlight the consequences of these earthquakes.

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From 9 p.m., the twenty artists who answered the call will open this solidarity meeting with a collegiate church on let it be of the Beatles. Like the Turkish pianist, the musicians rehearsed as the control room coordinated to sequence the shots of Syria and Turkey. This special device, entirely financed by the France Télévisions group, has brought together singers “of the French scene, generations and styles confused with artists from Turkey, Syria or neighboring countries”.

Read alsoEarthquake in Turkey: eight French people among the victims

Of Patrick Bruel, Salvatore Adamo by the way Laurent Voulzy and Fatma Saïd, the production brings together the artists in duets or groups like a musical metaphor for solidarity. “To receive artists from these bruised countries and to see them express themselves, it’s very strong“, deciphers Arnaud Gatcha. Remarks supported by Fatma Saïd. The Egyptian soprano came to Paris expressly for this concert at the Olympia. She interprets “an ode to life”, titled Aatini Al Naya Wa Ghanni, who wants translates from lebanese Give me the flute and sing. At rehearsals, the artist accompanied by a player of Ney – Persian flute – is applauded at each attempt. A sequence that promises a standing ovation tonight.

On the animation side Stephane Bern And Lea Salame form a unique duo. On the one hand, the host who is in charge of the “Grand concert de Paris” or heritage programs, on the other a presenter and information representative. A quality required to interview the speakers and comment on the reports that will punctuate the musical sequences. “We needed two great faces of the group with two essential qualities: the habit of hosting but above all of supervising major events of this type”, deciphers the director of this operation. This unusual duo rehearses iduously, reviews the transitions live, the reading of the teleprompter and does not hesitate to make changes with the director in charge, Tristan Carné. Hard to imagine that the timing is tight and that they will be live in a few hours.

These solidarity events call for “to the French people known for their generosity”. Last year, on the occasion of the solidarity concert for Ukraine, nearly 8 million euros were collected. This evening, in addition to the price of the tickets sold to go to the Olympia, viewers can make their donation via the Fondation de France website: fondationdefrance.org or by check: payable to Fondation de France , to be addressed to: Fondation de France – Solidarity Turkey – Syria, 60509 Chantilly Cedex.