Landerneau: A small town of 16,000 residents in France’s far-western Brittany region, Landerneau has finally broken the world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Smurfs.
After two failed attempts to outdo the previous record of 2,762 set by Lauchringen, Germany in 2019, the French town succeeded by assembling 3,076 people dressed in blue, with white hats and painted faces, cheerfully singing ‘smurfy songs.’
The Smurfs, created by Belgian cartoonist Peyo in 1958 and known as ‘Schtroumpfs’ in French, are tiny, human-like beings who live in the forest.
The record-setting event had almost been abandoned after a 2020 attempt, despite attracting over 3,500 participants, was disqualified by Guinness World Records due to a missing document.
Spirits were low until film studio Paramount Pictures stepped in to support another bid. Paramount, which is set to release ‘Smurfs, The Movie’ in July, reignited local enthusiasm by handling the event’s publicity and providing 1,200 free tickets for a preview screening of the film.
Participants ranged from 82-year-old Simone Pronost, who was inspired by a friend, to 20-year-old student Albane Delariviere, who traveled over 200 km from Rennes.
Mayor Patrick Leclerc, also in full costume, praised the joyful spirit of the gathering as a welcome distraction from everyday life.
Contestants were especially relieved to have favorable weather this year after the previous attempt in 2023 was disrupted by heavy rain that kept many away.
Pascal Soun, head of the organizing association, noted that the event offered attendees a brief escape into a playful, imaginary world. After years of effort and last year’s setback, the successful record attempt finally brought global Smurf fame to Landerneau.
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