Fête du Citron - Easter Island & Madagascar
Symbols from both Easter Island and Madagascar are represented in the same area. The tortoise moves his head back and forth, by the way. Or is he a turtle?From models to metal 'skeletons' - how is it done? Once the models are selected, the construction of the metal structures is entrusted to specialised metalworkers. The challenge is to realise steel structures that are both sturdy enough to support the weight of the fruit (three to four metric tons per float) and flexible enough to bend with the movement. That's the reason why a total of nearly 15 metric tons of steel is needed. The Lemon Festival keeps three to four metal workers busy for five months.
In December, the Municipal Technical Centre starts building the stands for the parades and with the help of the Fire Department, erects the footbridge that joins the two areas of the Biovès gardens. (We'll be climbing that footbridge)
Tomorrow, we'll learn how they 'fruit' the decorations and floats.
Truly beautiful! A ray of sunshine!
ReplyDeleteThat is a lot of works.
ReplyDeleteVery nice photo.
Those metal workers must be so proud of their work. Without them, this event wouldn't exist. Over 3 metric tons per float... Then again those aren't flowers... Actually, even flower floats can be very heavy.
ReplyDeleteI'm very curious about the actual "fruiting". :)
This is just incredible and the smell must be strong everywhere.
ReplyDeleteIt looks incredible, just wish we could be there
ReplyDeleteIt's like the Rose Bowl Parade except the floats are made with lemons and oranges instead of flowers.
ReplyDeleteI love the colors and the imagination that went into the floats. They are gorgeous.
It is so nice to see lots of photos of this festival. They really out did themselves this year! The smell must be refreshing too.
ReplyDeleteJust caught up with your blog again and I have really enjoyed reading about the Fete du Citron and looking at the spectacle. Really nice photos!
ReplyDeleteOh Jilly, I'm just having great fun with these posts of yours. I must get to see this for real. It's amazing.
ReplyDeleteThis is so colourful,and on top of it it moves!!
ReplyDeleteJust what I needed today...I look at my window,it's all white and covered of snow...I look at my screen,it's orange and yellow...and flowers everywhere...
I wonder how they do it with just the rubber bands...
Will stop by later.
c'est toujours aussi beau et inventif. La tortue est vraiment superbe.
ReplyDeleteit is always so nice and inventive. The turtle is really superb.
Jilly I'm enjoying your photos as much as the explanations you give about how it's done. It's quite fascinating, the organisation that goes behind the scenes !
ReplyDeleteNot sure why Madagascar and Easter island would come together, one in the Pacific ocean, the other in the Indian ocean but ah....
C'est donc ça la fameuse fête du citron dont j'ai entendu parler la semaine dernière.
ReplyDeleteSuperbes créations très ensoleillées ...