Wall of China, tower of the Yellow Crane, Chinese barges and, of course, pandas await visitors to the 5th edition of the Lantern Festival organized until February 5 in Montauban (Tarn-et-Garonne). Energy sobriety will not have overcome this magical stroll on the banks of the Yangtze and its 2,500 lanterns deployed along the Cours Foucault.
A debauchery of light coupled with a festive and family event for which the mayor of the city and president of Greater Montauban, Brigitte Barèges, “dark” when Patrice Gausserand, the former mayor of Gaillac (Tarn), who had organized the first edition in 2017, offered it to him. Declared ineligible and sentenced for passive corruption and illegal taking of interests in another case, the latter is still producer, with his company Mag Conseil, of the event designed by the Chinese consortium Zigong Lantern Group, like what is done in China, in Sichuan.
“We need magic, to give dreams”
“I did not measure the extent of the work, confides Brigitte Barèges, the mayor of Montauban. But I am amazed by the beauty and delicacy of these works. I think that in these difficult times, we need magic, to give dreams. Like every year, the Chinese artists have also dedicated a few paintings in homage to the host city, with a nod to the paratroopers of the neighboring 17th regiment, the rugby club and the “Tontons flingueurs”.
By hosting this festival, which has already brought together 1.5 million visitors in four editions, Montauban also hopes for economic benefits. A three-year contract was signed for an investment of 1.5 to 2 million euros to be borne by the community. Brigitte Barèges intends to achieve financial balance by offering evenings to companies and tour operators. For this, the mayor, who is delighted with the 60,000 tickets already sold, expects 400,000 visitors.
The equivalent of the electricity consumption of a match at the Stade de France
A bet all the same, while Blagnac, which hosted the festival last year, threw in the towel due to a deficit of 600,000 euros, according to its mayor, Joseph Carles. “We also want to generate benefits for our merchants, hotels and restaurants. All traffic is directed towards the city centre, ”adds Brigitte Barèges.
Still, at the time of energy savings, this festival of lights seems to go against the grain. “We very quickly saw that we would be scrutinized on this point, recognizes the Montalban councilor. This is why we have made a lot of effort. According to her, the entire festival will be powered by two generators running on GNR and “meeting the latest environmental standards”. Enough to power the LEDs of the 2,500 lanterns and operate in total autonomy.
“For the two months, we will consume approximately 100,000 kWh of electricity, which corresponds to the organization of a match at the Stade de France. We have nothing to be ashamed of as a World Cup is taking place right now in Qatar,” she said. Consumption equivalent to that of twenty French households over one year.