Door of a Buddhist temple, giant lotus flower, flowerbeds of violets… On the occasion of the Lantern Festival, visitors can discover the Yangtze River through illuminated dragons and other dinosaurs.
Every evening from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and until February 5, 2023, the banks of the longest river in Asia will be reconstructed on the 4.7 hectares of Cours Foucault in Montauban, near Toulouse.
The flagship sculpture of this fifth edition?
The Yellow Crane Tower, which culminates at 19 meters in height.
This colossal lantern, like all the others, promises to combine wonder with eco-responsibility.
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To do this, the emphasis was placed on
"greater energy sobriety"
, explains Patrice Gausserand, co-organizer of the Lantern Festival.
“With the energy crisis, it seemed important to us not to supply the festival with the city's electricity network.
We are going to use three GNR generators to the latest European standards: two which will run permanently at low speed and one as a backup”
.
In the event of a power outage, visitors will be able to continue to observe the lanterns – and the installations will not weigh on an already struggling network.
This approach is in addition to the festival's other eco-responsible measures – in terms of waste management in particular.
2,500 light sculptures and 80,000 bulbs
Born in 2017 as part of the twinning between Gaillac and Zigong, and one of the most important lantern festivals outside of China according to its organizers, it was held in Blagnac for the first time last winter, without being renewed in this city on the outskirts of Toulouse due to financial difficulties.
For this new edition in Montauban, more than 180 tons of metal, 50,000 square meters of silk, 30,000 pieces of ceramics and 80,000 light bulbs were needed to manufacture the 2,500 light sculptures of the festival.
All assembled, welded and painted by a hundred craftsmen who arrived in France at the beginning of September, the majority of whom come from the "city of Chinese lanterns", Zigong.
"On the banks of the Yangtze" will also be an opportunity to discover the history of Montauban.
Lying on parchment, it will also be perceptible through the nods to rugby in the colors and shapes of certain lanterns.
For the Grand Montauban agglomeration community, it was essential to host an event that respects the environment,
"this aspect [taking] a lot of heart in the agglomeration community"
, insists the Montalban town hall.
“Making the lanterns lasted about three months,”
says Nancy Xiang, head of the creative workshops.
A large part of the materials, especially the metal, can be reused”
.
Nods to rugby in the colors and shapes of certain lanterns.
infinity graphic / Lantern Festival
In the meantime, visitors will be able to enjoy unique animations like the exceptional performances of Sichuan Opera artists who can change faces up to 30 times per performance.
This sleight of hand, practiced by only a hundred people around the world, is recognized as a National Treasure of China.
As for the Chinese craft market present in the heart of the park, it gives pride of place to Sichuan know-how and celebrates the artisans of this region.
The Festival's best-kept secret?
The Qilins!
At the bend of an alley, visitors will be able to discover these lucky charms.
Half-dragon, half-lion, the Qilin are made up of 60,000 glass bottles filled with colored water assembled by hand with ecological materials and are there to bring luck, success and prosperity.
The Montauban Lantern Festival
, Cours Foucault, Av. du 10e Dragons, 82000 Montauban.
From December 1, 2022 to February 5, 2023 Every day from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Admission at 17 €.
Entrance fee for residents of Grand Montauban: €15.
Students + teenagers (11-17 years old): €13.
Information and tickets: festivaldeslanternes-montauban.com
