CONNECT
SKATURBANISM
FESTIVAL
in Bordeaux France【Eng.】
Words by Stinky Eagle, Photos by Nobuo Iseki
In October 2025, I traveled to Bordeaux, France to take part in Connect Festival #2. Connect Festival is an event focused on integrating urban development and skateboarding in the city of Bordeaux, organized by Magenta team manager Leo Valls and filmmaker Julien Januszkiewicz, known for works like Bordeaux Exposure.
This was my second visit to Bordeaux. The first time was two years ago, when I came for a Magenta shoot. This time, I stayed for about ten days to coincide with the festival.
“A different perspective on skateboarding, and a sense of freedom you don’t see in Tokyo”
After arriving in Bordeaux, I got in touch with Leo and headed straight to the Magenta store. The first person to welcome me was JB, a super nice guy working there. While I was setting up a new Shogo Zama pro model board, locals started showing up one after another.
Reuniting with people like Mike Mag, filmer Remi Luciani, and local skater Bruno after a long time was already special, but before we knew it, nearly 20 people had gathered. We dropped off our bags and headed straight out to skate. Being able to hit the streets with such a big group, including kids, is one of the things that really makes Bordeaux special.
I asked some local residents whether they ever felt skateboarding was “dangerous” or “too loud.” Their response was simple: “They’re just doing what they love, so we don’t really mind.”
That attitude toward skateboarding—and the kind of freedom you don’t often see in Tokyo—left a strong impression on me.
More than 5,000 visitors from 31 countries came to Bordeaux for the Connect Festival. At the main venue, Cour Mably, there were photo exhibitions, art shows, film screenings, talk sessions, and even skate trivia.
Around the venue, custom 3D-printed skate sections were installed directly in the streets for the event. Personally, I had a lot of fun figuring out creative ways to skate them.
At the venue, I also got to see Magenta boss Vivien Feil for the first time in two years, and getting to have a smoke with Tom Penny was definitely a moment I won’t forget. The freestyle battle between Japanese Super Rat (Kento Yoshioka) and Sergio Santoro was total chaos—it felt like it was about to end, but somehow never did (laughs).
Even after the festival ended, I stayed for about four more days. Unfortunately, it rained almost every day. We went to indoor parks, skated at covered spots, or just took it easy at Leo’s place.
Since the weather was bad, I decided to do something more touristy on the last day. Bordeaux is famous for wine, of course, but apparently it’s also known for oysters. A Japanese resident living in Bordeaux showed us around, and we went out for wine and fresh oysters. That last dinner was incredible.
My flight home was at 6 a.m., so I headed to the airport around 2 a.m., planning to sleep there. But the airport was unexpectedly closed until 4 a.m., so I ended up sleeping outside in the cold for two hours. That might have been the most “travel-like” moment of the whole trip.
Through this event, I met so many people, and even with my limited English, every day felt genuinely fun. Experiencing the openness of Bordeaux’s residents and the support from the local administration made me fall in love with the city all over again.
Bordeaux is a city where skateboarding and urban development coexist beautifully. I think it’s a place not only skaters, but non-skaters too, should visit at least once.
Arigato, Leo!!
Connect Festival #3 Announced!
This year’s event will take place in Bordeaux from September 24–27, 2026.
A special four days where riders from all over the world gather, and the city and skateboarding naturally blend together in a free and open atmosphere. You’re bound to experience new connections and perspectives.
If you have the chance, why not join it on-site?
