Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables, where it is the home of Bishop Myriel. In early English editions, the town's name was rendered D----. The town is left unnamed in most stage and film adaptations. The asteroid 10088 Digne was named after the town by its discoverer, Belgian astronomer Eric Walter Elst. Traditional celebrations Digne celebrates lavender, a symbol of the region, in the first weekend of August, at the Corso of lavender. A funfair is installed for the occasion, and a fireworks display is organized. A parade of floats is held, including a procession consisting of a dozen floats in lavender and crepon, led by 500 musicians and dancers from various nations. The Corso draws 10–15,000 people to the town each day. Arts festivals In May, every year since 2002, the city has organized a festival of urban culture and music. Initiated by the Ligue de l’Enseignement des Alpes-de-Haute-Provence [League of education of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence] and the L'ADSEA. The festival is now organized by the École du sous Sol [School of the Underground] association. The objective of this festival is to make urban culture (graffiti, slam, street basketball, hip-hop dance, skateboarding) known to a wider public along with contemporary music (rap, rock, pop, electro) through various artistic and cultural events under the program. A sports tournament closes the event. The Hip Hop dance battle and the basketball tournament are open to girls (two girls and two boys by team for the 4 vs 4 battle and at least one girl by team for the 3 vs 3 basketball tournament). An open stage is offered to amateur and semi-professional teams. Every spring, each year, the René-Char cultural centre receives cinema personalities and projects art and test films at the Festival les Rencontres cinématographiques de Digne. Its president is Jean-Pierre Castagna. Sports competitions Each year since 2004, the [Raid of the Black Lands] mountain biking event brings together more than a thousand participants. From 2013, the VTT Rando 04 club organizes the Enduro of the Black Lands, Enduro event. Created in 1999 by The Athletic Club of Digne, the Half-marathon of the Ammonites connects the village of Barles with the prefecture at the beginning of September, each year until 2002. Its rolling course, measured at according to the protocols of the French Athletics Federation, goes through the most spectacular sites of the , some of which are world-renowned. Examples of these include