The festivities are getting more and more green
Last year, in the midst of a health crisis, the Toulouse town hall bypassed the Christmas market, replaced at the last minute by the village of Father Christmas, moved for the occasion from the Square de Gaulle on the Capitol. This year, unless there is a last minute counter order due to the fifth wave, it will be a return to basics for the Christmas festivities.
The kickoff will be given this Friday, at 6 p.m., with the lighting of the 16.5 km of garlands and 553,000 LEDs that make up the illuminations, all over the city. This highlight will also be marked by an aerial choreography show on the dungeon of the Capitol, the acrobats being accompanied by a voice-piano duo if time permits. A Christmas under the sign of entertainment but also of eco-responsibility.
More entertainment this year
After a gloomy Christmas last year, this year the city has decided to bank on the return of interaction. In addition to Santa Claus who will pose every day in the Square de Gaulle and the traditional wish tree, the village will be punctuated regularly by shows. That of the acrobats on the wall of the keep of the Capitol will have played on weekends and during the school vacation period.
There is also a gospel choir which will brighten up the square with tunes known as We wish you a Merry Christmas or a merry fanfare of rabbits. The enchantment will also pass through the presence of characters all in white, perched on stilts, or that of an ice sculptor who will share his ephemeral art with the public. The merry-go-round in the shape of a tree or the 200 m2 skating rink on the Capitol, will also be there this year.
Recyclable decorations
Two years ago, the elected representatives of the opposition criticized the choice to implant on the Jean-Jaurès alleys an XXL tree 20 meters high actually made up of 385 small conifers installed on a metal structure. It will still be there this year, but the municipality has decided to take a turn towards eco-responsibility. “We have made a new contract, which allows us to work on more ecological decorations. In Victor-Hugo, for example, we are going to have Bioprint diamonds made from 90% recyclable materials, from sugar cane ”, indicates Jean-Baptiste de Scorraille who wants to“ participate in the more sustainable movement, but not in a chosen way ”.
Gradually, the conical metal trees will be replaced by giant synthetic trees that are nearly 90% recyclable, imitating the 100% natural king of forests while avoiding cutting down trees that take years to grow back up to 10 meters in height. high. The first six copies will thus be installed in Saint-Etienne, Jeanne-d’Arc or even Saint-Sernin. A turn to green, which is also reflected in the literal sense of the word since the town hall gradually wants to return to the classic Christmas colors for its decorations supplemented by red and gold.
A committed market
Fans of mulled wine and aligot from the Christmas market stalls are starting this Friday and the 120 chalets set up on the Place du Capitole, until December 26. To be able to stroll there, you will have to draw your sanitary pass, which will also be the case in the village of Santa Claus and in the artisanal and solidarity market of the alleys Jules-Guesde.
A committed market since it will host from December 4 to 19 local artisans, but also structures providing social and professional integration. Visitors can thus support the action of young people followed by the prevention clubs of Toulouse who will present their bicycle lamps there.