Red, symbol of power in ancient Greece

Long before the Cannes Film Festival, the tradition of the red carpet was born during Greek Antiquity. At that time, this color was reserved for rulers and gods, and the red carpet was seen as proof of belonging to a high social rank (it was not quite red, but purple).

In ancient literature, the first mention of a red carpet dates back to the 5th century BC, and to the writings of Aeschylus, the great Greek playwright who participated in the birth of the tragic genre. In Agamemnon, which recounts the return of the eponymous hero and his murder by his wife Clytemnestra, the latter unfolds it during his return from the Trojan War: “Did I not order you to cover his path with carpets? Promptly! May his path be covered with purple, as he goes towards the home he never hoped to see again, so that he may be led there with honor.”

The red carpet, a prestigious symbol

Closer to us, the red carpet is used during many prestigious ceremonies. Notably in 1821, as part of an official visit by the 5th President of the United States, James Monroe, to South Carolina. The presence of “ red carpet » then expanded to other important events such as the Oscars ceremony in 1961.

In Cannes the carpet has not always been red: during its first edition in 1946 to 1949, it was blue. Red was only adopted at the Cannes Film Festival from 1984. It was the journalist Yves Mourousi who decided on its use. Then responsible for putting order at the entrance to the Palais des Festivals for the smooth running of the opening ceremony, he wanted to separate the stars from passers-by, fans and photographers: the 24 steps of glory, symbol of the celebrity, are then dressed in a 60-meter red carpet, which takes up this symbolism of prestige, almost sacred, and also makes it possible to create a media moment through a strong symbol, inspired by the Oscars. But the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival is indeed without equal, with its particular shade: on the central part, we use the red which bears the code name 0144, and on the side part, Teatro red. A unique color that goes hand in hand with a very strict ritual: evening dress required even for the press, telephone prohibited...

In 2020, red is replaced by black in homage to the attacks on the Notre-Dame basilica in Nice.

What happens to the red carpet once the Cannes Film Festival is over?

Until 2021, the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival was changed three times a day. Since then, for ecological reasons, it has only been replaced once a day, which represents a saving of 1400 kilos of material. Once removed, it is entrusted to the Marseille structure “La Réserve des Arts”, to be recycled and used by the automobile, food industry or construction sectors, for the development of decorations or even for d other ceremonies.