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The festivities of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, which take place in May, were in the nineteenth century a local pilgrimage which has developed today into the "Gypsies' pilgrimage" for tourists. This spectacular development during the second half of the twentieth century simultaneously satisfies the Church, which sees in these festivities a reaffirmation of faith, and Gypsies, who find in them the opportunity of affirming their presence within the Catholic community, shopkeepers who benefit from the inrush of tourists, and lastly tourists in search of authenticity. All affirm their identity and territory, which gives rise to tensions owing to conflicting interests, under the control of three powers: the Church, the public authorities, and money.