Mat’lots d’Ouistreham, Les

Embark with Les Mat’lots d’Ouistreham – A new group of singers and musicians has been born, taking up the songs of sailors and the sea.

A new group was created a few weeks ago: the Mat’lots d’Ouistreham. “We are nine singers, accompanied by an accordionist, two guitarists, a violinist, a bassist and a sound technician. The purpose of is to sing at sea festivals, at craft markets or any other event. We will perform in Calvados but also in La Manche, including at the Festival des chants marins in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue,” says the president of this young association, Eric Brotin, accompanied by the members of the board, Hervé Tesson, secretary and Martine Tesson, treasurer.

“We don’t just sing marine songs, but our repertoire always has a connection with the sea. The goal is to make the audience sing with us and at least take up the chorus. That’s why we want to sing songs that are familiar to everyone. In order to expand our ensemble, we are looking for a diatonic accordionist,” he adds.

Their repertoire, currently composed of about twenty songs, includes Santiano, Allez les marins snd La ballade nord-irlandaise. “We were very well received by the town hall, which provided us with a room to rehearse within the Pavilion,” says Eric Brotin.

The values advocated by this group are sharing, friendship and of course love of the sea and music. The mayor, Romain Bail, came to visit this group in rehearsal.

“We have been waiting for a long time for an association that is focussed on the sea and the songs of the sea in Ouistreham. What the Mat’lots of Ouistreham offer corresponds completely to the identity of the municipality, “says the mayor.

(Ouest France 1/2023)