DIJON: Father Christmas came down from the Philippe le Bon tower to distribute curls
The tradition was respected on Christmas Eve this Friday, December 24. Once on the ground, Santa Claus handed out curls to the children present in large numbers. He was accompanied by firefighters from SDIS 21 and agents from Dijon Métropole.
The temperature on the ground is 10 degrees. On this Friday 24 2021, Father Christmas landed on the cobblestones of Dijon, benefiting from a mild temperature, a few days after the winter solstic, and in the rain.
If Santa Claus can override the weather conditions, they are of interest to the SDIS Côte-d’Or firefighters. Six agents from the reconnaissance and intervention group in perilous environments (GRIMP) secured the descent of the red man from the top of the Philippe le Bon tower.
At the foot of the building, the main courtyard of the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy and Place de la Liberation, according to the City of Dijon, 3,500 people have attended this traditional event since 1951.
Last screening of the “Feast of Light”
While residents and tourists converge this Friday evening towards the Place de la Liberation or towards the main courtyard (accessible on presentation of a health pass), the video mapping “A feast of light” has its last projection on the facade of the ducal palace.
Young and old alike follow the adventures of the gingerbread and blackcurrant nonnette which prominently produce the tourist flagships of Dijon until the mention of the International City of Gastronomy and Wine, which is currently being completed. The video is signed by the company ID Scènes, based in Montpellier, in collaboration with the Moroccan structure Avextd.
A 70-meter zip line for the descent of Santa Claus
Right on time, Santa Claus appears at the top of the Philippe le Bon tower to applause. A 70-meter zip line was installed to make this descent in complete safety, mobilizing two 80-meter ropes.
Greeting the spectators, the red man slowly walks the course then, once on the ground, distributes curls to the children. In front of the crowd, he was quickly joined by elected officials from the City of Dijon and community officials.
“We spend our days adapting to keep bonds of solidarity”
“It’s normal to be here,” says Fabien Robert (AEI), municipal councilor, “it’s a gathering of the population and especially children”. “It has been a tradition for decades of families”, abounds Franck Lehenoff (PS), education assistant, “it brings together, children, everyone”.
“It is important to maintain this celebration and even more in these difficult times that we are going through. (…) We deal with the virus and we spend our days and our months adapting to keep bonds of solidarity”, adds Franck Lehenoff who wishes a “Merry Christmas” to the people of Dijon.
Christmas entertainment continues until January 2 with the chalets located on rue de la Liberté, place Darcy and place de la République, the Big Wheel and the ice rink being installed on the same square, not to mention the giant Christmas tree in the place de la Liberation whose success continues.
Jean-Christophe Tardivon