Toulouse: the return of the Christmas festivities
Illuminations, Place du Capitole market, Santa Claus village… after last year’s cancellation due to covid, the Christmas festivities are making a comeback in Toulouse.
Christmas is back in the Pink City at the end of 2021. Last year, the second containment of the covid crisis had overcome all the traditional activities and, instead of the Capitol chalets, a simple decor had been planned on the square to maintain some semblance of celebration. Today, the first signs of a fifth wave of contamination have not increased health constraints. And the municipal program of end-of-year events, unveiled this Tuesday at the Capitol, remains relevant. “We are happy to reconnect with Christmas,” said Jonnhy Dunal, city councilor in charge of the holidays.
The illuminations of the city with 16.5 km of garlands and original patterns, the Christmas market on the Place du Capitole with its 120 chalets and the return of an ice rink, a new village of Santa Claus square de Gaulle for children , the solidarity Christmas market in the alleys Jules-Guesde, the giant Christmas tree in the Ramblas… Toulouse is going to rediscover its traditional festive habits. The start of the illuminations will be given this Friday, November 26, at 6 p.m., Square de Gaulle, by the mayor, Jean-Luc Moudenc, during a show.
Red and or
But this Christmas 2021 is meant to be different from the previous ones. And the main innovation is ecological. In charge of lighting, Jean-Baptiste de Scorraille, deputy mayor, announced the arrival of recyclable decorations because they are made from sugar cane. The contract with the company Blachère, one of the specialists in the sector, explains this shift. Place Victor-Hugo for example, the white diamond-shaped decorations are thus made using this process. Like the stars on new trees. “We want more ecology. But a responsible ecology ”, underlined the elected official.
Six new trees are also appearing. Synthetics, too, are almost 90% recyclable. These six firs which measure from five to ten meters are installed on the place Saint-Etienne, de la Trinité, Jeanne-d’Arc, Saint-Georges, Dupuy and on the square of Saint-Sernin.
The Toulouse districts have 79 luminous cone fir trees, including 24 new ones. The goal is to gradually replace each year to offer new patterns and make them look good during the day too. This is the other municipal desire for 2021: to extend the decorations in the neighborhoods. And gradually replace them thanks to this new market.
Finally, Jean-Baptiste de Scorraille announces new colors for these illuminations: red and gold “to restore warmth” to this holiday season.
Thanks to the involvement of socio-cultural centers and associations, activities are also scheduled in many neighborhoods.