Every four years, Lure (Haute-Saône) celebrates on February 29.
A somewhat special day which corresponds to the date of birth of the city's hero: Sapper Camember.
The character never existed, he is one of the first characters in emerging comics, created at the end of the 19th century.
Its author, Georges Colomb, was from Lure, and it is therefore there that he places the story of this cheerful Luron, a soldier with absurd language and comical behavior.
“We had all somewhat forgotten the existence of this Sapeur Camember,” remembers Michèle Eon, the venerable president of the sapper’s brotherhood.
It was during a party organized by the traders that we relaunched our sapper.
The character is perfect for this, he is funny and festive.
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“A bronze statue has since been erected in the city center to pay tribute to the hero,” recalls Michèle Eon.
The funny thing is that it was installed in the same place where the vespasians were.
It fits the character well.
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The latest version of the sapper brotherhood is celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year.
Born 180 years ago, Sapeur Camember will only have had… 44 birthdays on February 29.
For the occasion, “Z'Olympiads” will be organized with tests, not serious at all, between different villages in the surrounding area.
There will also be speeches in front of the sapper statue or the ball in the evening.
This Thursday, many will also go to the newsagent to buy “La Bougie du Sapeur”, a newspaper which only appears every four years, on February 29.
The tone is like the hero of Lure, satirical and joyful.