Some 40 Chinese workers are busy constructing and erecting the Lantern Festival in a Gaillac park. The giant Heavenly Temple soars 18 metres, a replica of the original in Beijing (Pekin in French); the 70 metre long dragon is made entirely from porcelain plates and cups wired together; all the elements of the temple are hand made and covered with hand coloured silk.
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| Building the Heavenly Temple: pic Myriam Brisse. |
The festival will run from the 1st December to 31st January, pay on entry. As the elements will all be illuminated it is best seen at night, so will be open from 18h-23h.
Despite the undoubted spectacle, presented for the first time in Europe, the choice of Gaillac is not without controversy as its maire Patrice Gausserand is accused by some opposition members of using his office to promote his private business links with China. This will be considered by the Tribunal Administratif next week (13th November).
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