Second-Hand Festival Comes to Angers
Listen to the story
The city of Angers, in western France, is hosting two events this weekend that celebrate second-hand shopping and reusing old items.
On Saturday, August 29, the neighborhood of Belle-Beille will hold a festival called 'Second Hand in Party'. Organizers say that shopping for used goods is both practical for everyday life and good for the environment.
The following day, on Sunday, Saint-Lazare street will be turned into a flea market, where local residents can sell and buy second-hand items outdoors.
These kinds of events have become increasingly popular across France as more people look for ways to reduce waste and save money at the same time.
Buying used clothes, furniture, or household items means fewer new products need to be manufactured. This can help lower carbon emissions and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Second-hand markets also tend to bring communities together, giving neighbors a chance to meet, chat, and exchange items directly with each other.
For many families, second-hand shopping is also a way to save money, especially as prices for new goods continue to rise.
While the source material does not give exact details about the number of stalls or expected visitors, such events in Angers typically attract residents from across the city.
Organizers hope that by making sustainability fun and social, more people will choose second-hand options in their daily lives, not just during special festivals.
Vocabulary4 words
- second-hand
- already used by someone else, not new
- flea market
- an outdoor market where people sell used items
- carbon emissions
- gases released into the air that harm the environment
- sustainability
- living in a way that does not damage nature
Quiz
Answer key
1. A 'Second Hand in Party' festival 2. It reduces the need for new products 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The city of Angers, in western France, is hosting two events this weekend that celebrate _____ shopping and reusing old items.
On Saturday, August 29, the neighborhood of Belle-Beille will hold a _____ called 'Second Hand in Party'.
Organizers say that shopping for used goods is both practical for everyday life and good for the _____.
The following day, Saint-Lazare street will be turned into a _____, where local residents can sell and buy second-hand items outdoors.
These kinds of events have become increasingly popular across France as more people look for ways to reduce _____ and save money.
Buying used clothes, furniture, or household items means fewer new products need to be _____.
This can help lower carbon emissions and reduce the amount of waste sent to _____.
For many families, second-hand shopping is also a way to save _____.
Organizers hope that by making sustainability fun and social, more people will choose second-hand _____ in their daily lives.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever bought or sold something at a flea market? What was your experience?
- Why do you think second-hand shopping is becoming more popular in many countries?
- What are some environmental benefits of buying used items instead of new ones?
- Do you think community events like this one can change people's shopping habits long-term? Why or why not?