Paléo has to give up on its 45e Parallèle but will return with a bang in 2022!

Dear Festivalgoers, volunteers, artists, sponsors, partners, farmers, suppliers, friends,

Dear all,

The whole organising team kept their hopes alive until the very end. They stacked all the odds in their favour, fiddling with concepts in every way possible. Starting with a blank sheet of paper, they had imagined the 45e Parallèle, a wonderful event brimming with bold discoveries that they were eager to present. But the Paléo team must unfortunately face the facts. A festival, even a scaled-down event such as the 45e Parallèle, will be impossible this summer.

The situation is complex, but the equation is simple. In order to get this project off the ground, a number of imperative conditions must be met. These include a minimum capacity authorised by the authorities, compatibility with health requirements, guarantees in the event of cancellation and artists being available.

Each additional day of work generates costs that lead to an inevitable deficit, and as Daniel Rossellat, president of the Paléo Association, said: “We find ourselves in a Kafkaesque situation. Even if the authorities were to announce good news regarding capacity for example, we can’t know if, nor when such an authorisation will be granted. If we were to start working on the event and it ended up being unauthorised, the risk of a deficit could be unsustainable.” This is why, with 100 days to go before the event, in view of the hugely unstable health situation and the many unknowns as to whether or not summer events might be held, the only responsible and reasonable decision is to give up on the idea of staging the 45e Parallèle.

The very existence of the Paléo Festival is at stake

Although the team is courageous, it is not foolhardy: the risks are too great. Hence, we prefer to ensure the Festival’s continuity and to start work on an event in 2022, which we hope will be spectacular.

This is yet another blow of course. The situation will inevitably have serious financial repercussions for the Festival. As a non-profit (and non-subsidised) organisation, Paléo generates almost 80% of its revenue from the sale of tickets, food and beverages at the event. The organisation is working hard to mitigate the impact of this difficult situation.

Aware of the strong links between the Festival and the surrounding region, its cultural scene, artists and economy, the entire Paléo team fully understands and shares the disappointment of the public, the artists, its partners, its suppliers and its 4,870 volunteers, as well as the hundreds of people, local associations and businesses with whom it has worked faithfully for decades.

More than anything else, Paléo wishes to retain the skills of its staff and is not considering any redundancies. The Festival has however planned to make its talent and strengths available to community projects in the Nyon area.

Information about tickets and Céline Dion

All tickets and passes purchased remain valid for the next Paléo Festival Nyon which will be held from 19 to 24 July 2022.  

Regarding Céline Dion, Céline Dion has confirmed the postponement of her show at Paléo on 17 July 2023! Tickets originally purchased for 20 July 2020 remain valid for this new date. 

The organising team would like to thank the festivalgoers who are patiently holding on to their tickets and passes for their invaluable trust. We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers, artists, farmers, sponsors, partners and all the people who are closely or remotely involved in the Festival for their unfailing support, which will enable the Paléo Association to overcome the many challenges that still lie ahead. 

We are all looking forward to better times. Together with you. 


The Paléo team 

FAQ

Our aim here is to answer your questions as clearly as possible. As you know, we are currently going through a period of great uncertainty, and our answers to your questions may change as a consequence. Hence, we will adapt our answers according to developments.

  • Why cancel the 45e Parallèle?

    The whole organising team kept their hopes alive until the very end. They stacked all the odds in their favour, fiddling with concepts in every way possible.

    In order to get this project off the ground, a number of imperative conditions must be met. These include a minimum capacity authorised by the authorities, compatibility with health requirements, guarantees in the event of cancellation and artists being available. Each additional day of work generates costs that lead to an inevitable deficit. 

    This is why, with 100 days to go before the event, in view of the hugely unstable health situation and the many unknowns as to whether or not summer events might be held, the only responsible and reasonable decision is to give up on the idea of staging the 45e Parallèle.

    If we were to start working on the event and it ended up being unauthorised, the risk of a deficit could be unsustainable.

    The very existence of the Paléo Festival is at stake, and although the team is courageous, it is not foolhardy: the risks are too great. Hence, we prefer to ensure the Festival’s continuity and to start work on an event in 2022, which we hope will be spectacular.

  • What’s the 45e Parallèle?

    The 45th edition of the Paléo Festival was to be celebrated in 2020. As this has been postponed to the summer of 2021, we were hoping to bring this jubilee edition to you in a different way: the 45e Parallèle.

    We worked with heart and enthusiasm on this new event, which was to offer music, experiences and discoveries, with a reduced capacity and size, and an extended duration. It should have taken place from 8 July to 8 August 2021. Unfortunately, in view of the many uncertainties that surround the summer, we must give up.

  • Is it not possible to imagine a smaller event, with a reduced capacity?

    Unfortunately, not. Of course, we have also studied this possibility and turned the concepts upside down. But the risks are too high, and again, we have no certainty at the moment as to whether or not we will be given the authorisation to hold the event, or what health requirements will be imposed on us. Furthermore, a capacity that is too small would not be financially sustainable. We therefore prefer to ensure the Festival's continuity and immerse ourselves in the preparation of a 2022 edition.

  • What about the Céline Dion show?

    Céline Dion has confirmed her show at Paléo on 17 July 2023! 

    Due to the health situation, Paléo confirms the postponement of the artist's show to Monday 17 July 2023.  

    Tickets originally purchased for 20 July 2020 remain valid for this new date. All tickets will be automatically updated with the new dates in the accounts of each buyer by autumn 2021. All ticket holders will be personally contacted by email once the change has been made. 

  • A Céline Dion show in 2023? Why not in 2022?

    As the artist unfortunately already had other commitments during the week of the Paléo Festival 2022, the postponement date of her initial concert has therefore been set for 17 July 2023.  

    We are fully aware that the wait will be longer than expected and therefore warmly thank you for your patience and understanding. 

  • I bought a ticket/pass, what happens to it?

    You purchased flex tickets, passes and Campervan pitches tickets and we warmly thank you.  

    In any case, all tickets and passes remain valid for the 2022 Festival. 

    Only tickets for Céline Dion are postponed to 2023. 

    All tickets and passes will be automatically updated with the new dates in autumn 2021. We will personally inform ticket holders as soon as the date change has been made. 

    ❤️ In the meantime, the organisation warmly thanks the holders of tickets and passes for holding on to them. Their patience is the best support to ensure the continuity of Paléo! ❤️

  • I bought a 7-day pass, what about it?

    The 2020 7-day passes (valid from Monday to Sunday) will be split into 1 ticket for the Céline Dion evening on 17 July 2023 + 1 6-day pass for the 2022 edition (Tuesday-Sunday).  

    Holders of these passes will be able to use them in 2022!   

    Tickets and passes will be automatically updated by autumn 2021 with the new dates in the accounts of each buyer. All ticket and pass holders will be personally contacted by e-mail. 

  • Is it possible to buy a ticket/pass ?

    Ticketing is not open at the moment, but we will inform you as soon as it is possible again! Please note that the Céline Dion show is already sold out and no tickets will be put back on sale for that specific date.

  • Is the Festival in danger?

    The situation is clearly difficult, and we must take strong measures. The Paléo Association will suffer major financial difficulties. However, we are doing everything in our power to mitigate the significant impact that such a situation might have.

  • How is Paléo financed?

    Paléo Arts & Spectacles is a non-profit cultural association, which means that any profit is automatically reinvested into the organisation to foster the development of cultural, musical and artistic activities. The Festival does not receive any public subsidy. In 2019 the majority of our income was generated by ticket sales (53%), revenue from the various stalls, bars, restaurants and merchandising shops (24%) and sponsoring (18%). Paléo has 65 permanent employees (45 full-time equivalent) and collaborates with hundreds of partners, suppliers, associations and businesses, local as well as national and international. Paléo also created Equiléo in 2008, a foundation with an aim to provide financial support for cultural, social and prevention activities. Additional support is also provided to local associations and local cultural initiatives.

    Needless to say, the consequences and the financial impact of the health situation on the Festival will be significant.

  • Does Paléo have an insurance?

    Paléo Festival is not insured against a pandemic. To the best of our knowledge, there is no such insurance. In any case, it is probably impossible today to find an insurance company that would be willing to cover it.

  • How can you help?

    By keeping your tickets, you are making a huge gesture for the Festival! Your patience and fidelity are the best support to ensure the continuity of Paléo. ❤️