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“
If you look closely, a Playmobil always smiles, the children are amazed, but the parents are amazed because we do.
» Nicolas Brillu, the organizer of Play'Mios, a Playmobil fair which is held at the Mios sports complex from February 24 to 26, has much to be proud of.
Its exhibition, which extends over more than 1,600 square meters, presents the little toy, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, as we have rarely seen it.
In addition to the modern paintings of
Game of Thrones
for example
,
sales and festive activities organized in this type of event, a dark room with music and lights, animated by exhibitors in period costume presents an exceptional red thread: 15 paintings which reproduce the great history of France from the caves of Lascaux in May 68. A first.
Each of them illustrates a dream plot.
On one side, a hundred figurines reproduce the battle of Alesia led by Vercingetorix, on the other, Vikings feast near their longships, very close to a village in the Middle Ages in turmoil.
Here, Joan of Arc arrives at the cathedral of Orleans, just before a Christopher Columbus who conquers America not far from pirates.
And there, Louis XIV, surrounded by his court, feasts at Versailles.
Marianne guiding France takes the Bastille while Napoleon is crowned, then defeated by General Winter in Russia.
A stone's throw away, Poilus toil in the painting Create in the hell of battle: the Verdun Memorial exhibits the artist fighters, representing the Normandy landings and a painting of the Liberation of Royan,
In detail, each of these figurines constitutes an exceptional treasure, as only collectors possess.
Between molding, demoulding and painting, a customized Poilu represents five hours of work.
Its creator, Philippe Saenz, from Royan (Charente-Maritime), estimates it at 45 euros.
To install Louis XIV in the gardens of Versailles, Laurence Bonifacie bent over her workbench for about twenty hours.
The realization of the sixty courtiers, valets and lackeys occupied the whole family, which had set to work in June.
King Louis XIV and his wife, Marie-Thérèse of Austria, reign in the splendid decor of the gardens of Versailles.
Le Figaro / Marie-Helene Herouart
Passion Playmobil
The sixty exhibitors who gather at Play'Mios every two years since 2015 are passionate, real people, most of whom have become friends.
Some traveled more than 800 kilometers to be present.
“
We are not totos who only talk about Playmobil
“, insists Nicolas Brillu, conceding that everyone has thousands of small figurines at home, which are worth at least as much.
The love for this miniature toy was born in his womb when he was a child: it was the only gift that made him happy.
At the time, he dreamed of owning one of those fortified castles that cost a bit too much for his parents.
So when, at the age of 30, he came face to face with the object of his dreams in a garage sale, the gears were launched.
Twenty years later, the one who will turn 52 on Monday does not get tired of it and retains all his child's soul.
History of France in Playmobil
Go to slideshow (22)
At his side, Benoit Sevaistre, who came with his wife, his daughter and his mother, admits that he has "
almost a little too much
": at least 200 60-litre boxes... Far from containing the collection of Playmobil that he amassed since 2005, after having bought a fortified castle from his son.
And yet, he continues, because well beyond play and creation, it is the family aspect that brings together his toy enthusiasts.
The fraternity that leads an exhibitor to build the installation of an absentee is accompanied by real ties.
The former stonecutter testifies to this with tears in his eye: this passion and these friendships saved him after a serious motorcycle accident by allowing him to "
escape and not think about his arm
(which keeps him from sequels, Editor's note).
This conviviality magnified by the beauty of the Playmobils is what prompted Cédric Pain, the mayor of Mios, to subsidize the exhibition again this year to the tune of 12,000 euros.
"
It's a strong moment to live together intergenerationally: I played Playmobil when I was young, our parents bought them, our children played them and our grandchildren still use them.
“, specifies the city councilor by underlining the quality of the moments shared by the visitors.
After having awakened their imagination, the children will be able to fish with a line, personalize a Playmobil in their effigy or even color the participative fresco of this 3rd edition of Play'Mios.
The price of entry is set at 2 euros for those over ten years old.
All the profits collected will be donated by donations in cultural and sports gifts to the children of the municipality, i.e. a total of nearly 40,000 euros for the previous editions.
