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For the first time, during the two weekends before Christmas, Toulouse town centre will be hosting a new street performance whose theme is the magical and enchanting universe of elves. Moments of surprise, humour and poetry are in store, from the heart of our cultural heritage. A show for children and grown-ups, not to be missed.
Initiated by Toulouse City Council (Mairie de Toulouse), the Toulouse Chamber of Commerce (Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Toulouse) and the Chamber of Professional Trades of the Haute-Garonne (Chambre des Metiers et de l’Artisanat de la Haute-Garonne), this original entertainment project invites tourists and residents for a stroll in the shopping districts of Toulouse to admire the elves’ antics. Humorous and mischievous, poets and magicians, sportsmen and musicians, they will plunge passers-by into the magic of childhood… At the end of these performances, the election of the king of the elves.
You may not know this, but, every 50 years, a king of the elves has to be elected to be the assistant to Father Christmas. The one chosen is the most dedicated, inventive, creative, mischievous elf. And all the elves are coming to Toulouse for their election campaign. Every elf will be doing his utmost to win your vote by showing off his skills, whether he’s an expert in juggling, theatre, music, circus or dance… 50 elves will be strolling through the city centre each afternoon, in a group or on their own, looking to meet their “electors”.
This street performance is directed by Didier Kimmoun (Ramonville Street Festival, Festa Tolosa…) and produced by Albin Warette (teacher at the Lido – Toulouse Centre for Circus Arts).
Programme
– On 12 December in the late afternoon – 6.00 pm: The elves invade the Place du Capitole. Lighting effects will cover the Town Hall facade and we’ll gradually see some white elves dropping down from the roofs beneath a flurry of snowflakes. Other elves will appear at the windows of the building, then come together on the central balcony. Gradually, 50 elves will arrive in the square and perform an urban dance performance. The election campaign will then be officially launched, and after a few jokes directed at the public, the elves will disappear into the city.
– On 13-14 and 20-21 December: Each day, the elves will perform a series of group movements and then disperse into the streets of the city.At the end of the afternoon, they’ll come together for a procession and music at a strategic point, then disappear. The elves will be giving out voting cards so that you can choose the elf who you find most cute or funny. A ballot box will be set up in the Capitole’s Cour Henry IV, or you can vote online on www.lutins.toulouse.fr.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
