After approximately 30 painting sessions involving more than 100 participants, a vibrant mural spanning 30 meters along the wall of the municipal stadium in Saint-Manvieu-Bocage has been completed. Amateur painters from all generations contributed to bringing color to the mural created by Proteus Art Concept at the stadium in this Calvados commune.
The project began on July 9, 2025, and progressed steadily despite alternating rain showers and heat waves. The initiative originally stemmed from Pascal Banning, a local resident and elected official who was deeply involved in community affairs. He had conceived the idea for a "Graff n bike" event that would combine beautifying the stadium wall with promoting eco-friendly transportation between the Dathée leisure base, Saint-Manvieu-Bocage, and Saint-Sever-Calvados.
Banning's project faced delays due to administrative and financial issues, and his accidental death in July 2024 brought the initiative to a halt. "In tribute to Pascal," explained Alain Legrain, a member of the association Les Amis La Vache Qui Lit, "we decided to revive the project and see it through to completion." The project now receives support from the European Union through its Leader program, the municipality of Noues-de-Sienne, the MJC federation, and the MSA.
According to Joanne Delberghe and Mathilde Ballière, Leader representatives at the Department, "This mural illustrates the cultural, sporting, and creative life serving the population, and it represents enhanced heritage." The artwork was designed by graffiti artist Proteus Art Concept as a tribute to the sporting and cultural dynamism of the Mévéen and Noues-de-Siennois territories, its residents, and Pascal Banning.
The artist emphasized the intergenerational nature of the work: "We wanted intergenerational collaboration on this mural, and that's exactly what we achieved, with young painters aged 4-5 years old all the way to residents from the nursing home. People came from the village, from Noues-de-Sienne, and even from elsewhere. The goal was for residents to make it their own. This is their mural."
The Saint-Manvieu-Bocage mural will be officially inaugurated on Saturday, September 27, 2025, during a festive sports day featuring multiple activities throughout the day. The event aims to encourage the population to use eco-friendly transportation methods. The celebration will bring together numerous local sports associations for demonstrations and games.
Six different routes for cycling, walking, and horseback riding will converge toward the Saint-Manvieu stadium, departing from Saint-Sever-Calvados, Landelles-et-Coupigny, Annebecq, Champ-du-Boult, La Dathée, and Mesnil-Clinchamps. A grand closing concert is also planned to cap off the inaugural celebration, fulfilling the late Pascal Banning's vision of combining community art with sustainable mobility initiatives.
