Crépol Holds First Festival Honoring 16-Year-Old Thomas Since His Tragic Death

Six months after the tragic death of 16-year-old Thomas Perotto, the village of Crépol, Drôme, held its traditional 'fête de l'épouvantail' celebration, marking the first village festival since the incident in November 2023. The event paid tribute to Thomas, a young rugby player who was fatally stabbed at a party.

The 'fête de l'épouvantail' is a longstanding tradition in Crépol, where villagers gather to create scarecrows and perform a spectacle on the village square. This year's celebration, held on June 1 and June 2, was scaled back to two days, with some activities canceled because of the community's ongoing grief.

To honor Thomas's memory, participants wore white armbands, and a sign at the festival read, 'En hommage aux victimes du bal de Crépol, nous porterons un brassard blanc' ('In homage to the victims of the Crépol ball, we will wear a white armband'). The winner of the pétanque tournament received the 'Thomas Perotto' trophy, a new addition to the festival.

Thomas Perotto was attacked during a ball organized by the Crépol festival committee in November 2023. Violent clashes erupted between a group from Crépol, including Thomas, and another group from Romans-sur-Isère, who were not invited. Thomas was stabbed in the heart and throat and died during his helicopter transfer to Lyon.

Why this matters: The tragic death of 16-year-old Thomas Perotto has had a profound impact on the community of Crépol, highlighting the need for increased safety measures and conflict resolution strategies. The investigation and subsequent trial may have implications for community policing and youth violence prevention in the region.

The investigation into Thomas's death remains ongoing. In March, 11 people were arrested, with five charged with 'voluntary homicide and attempted voluntary homicide in an organized gang.' The primary suspect, Chaïd A., has a prior conviction for receiving stolen goods and carrying a weapon, but it is unclear if he is the perpetrator.

During the festival, some residents welcomed the return of a festive atmosphere. Thierry, a local, commented, 'Ça fait du bien de retrouver un peu d'ambiance à Crépol. C'est bien d'avoir maintenu cette fête malgré tout.' ('It feels good to have some atmosphere back in Crépol. It's good that we've kept this festival despite everything.').

However, not everyone was pleased with the media attention and the presence of political figures. Eric Zemmour, president of the Reconquête party, visited Crépol on June 1 to pay homage to Thomas, an act that received mixed reactions from the villagers.

Despite the mixed feelings, the festival served as a moment for the community to come together and remember Thomas. Laure Barnard, president of the animation committee, expressed, 'We wanted to hold our festival this year, but it's going to be tough. We've prepared our floats for the parade, but we'll be thinking strongly about Thomas and the victims.'

The village of Crépol continues to struggle to come to terms with the loss of Thomas, but the festival provided a space for collective healing and remembrance. The community moves forward, the memory of Thomas Perotto remains a powerful symbol of the tragedy that struck this small village.

Key Takeaways

• The village of Crépol held its traditional 'fête de l'épouvantail' celebration, 6 months after 16-year-old Thomas Perotto's tragic death.
• The festival paid tribute to Thomas, a young rugby player who was fatally stabbed at a party in November 2023.
• Participants wore white armbands, and a new 'Thomas Perotto' trophy was introduced for the pétanque tournament.
• The investigation into Thomas's death remains ongoing, with 11 people arrested and 5 charged with 'voluntary homicide'.
• The festival served as a moment for the community to come together, remember Thomas, and begin the healing process.