Christmas The inauguration of the Champs-Elysées illuminations was held this Sunday evening, in the presence of actor Tahar Rahim, sponsor of the festivities
It’s party time on the Champs-Elysées! — Lewis Joly/AP/SIPA
- As every year, it is towards the end of November that the illuminations of the Champs-Elysées are inaugurated, organized by the of the same name.
- This Sunday evening, it was actor Tahar Rahim, sponsor of the festivities, who pressed the button triggering six weeks of illuminations.
- To respond to a context of sobriety, these will go out earlier in the night.
The Christmas illuminations of the Champs-Elysées were placed this year, context requires, under the sign of sobriety. And so it was. the same for the ceremony this Sunday evening. There was indeed a first part with the Picard marching band La Vaillante, who came from Saint-Quentin on purpose, but with only two pieces. For the rest, no long speech.
A brief introduction by Marc-Antoine Jamet, the chairman of the committee. from the Champs-Elysées to; the initiative of the festivities, which boasted “Reasonable and lasting illuminations”.
”A moment of celebration in a world that is not going so well”
A few words also from Anne Hidalgo for whom “these illuminations are a moment of celebration in a world that is not going very well”. And above all the smile of Tahar Rahim, the sponsor of the festivities, who recalled his “pleasure to be there” and thanked of “privileged age” to have been selected. A thousand leagues from his creepy character in the Netflix series The Serpent.
And it’s to 7 p.m. A few minutes passed that the buzzer button was pressed. sunk illuminating the trees of the Champs with beautiful garlands and triggering a rain of yellow and white confetti. The smiles were then very present on the stage, especially among the two young people of the association Petits princes which supports sick children. Jeanne D’Hautesserre, the mayor of the 7th arrondissement, shone with his golden down jacket, his Christmas sweater, and his enthusiasm, always present year after year. And it’s Olivia Polski, the Commerce Assistant, who took the traditional group selfie while the congressman. LREM Sylvain Maillard succeeded in get his picture with Tahar Rahim.
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Marc-Antoine Jamet had nothing but praise for the godfather of the illuminations: “He gave to the avenue the dimension that is his. We need someone exceptional and he is exceptional! And above all he is full of kindness!” Not hesitating to call “papi” the chairman of the committee; who had just learned of the birth of a granddaughter.
Our dossier on the Champs-Élysées
Among the large crowd that attended to the inauguration of the illuminations, Thierry and Cristina appreciated the festivities: “It’s my first time here and it’s fun. And it’s my Brazilian girlfriend who informed me, a Parisian of origin, about the ceremony !” Shelly, Ajay and their two children came as tourists before returning home. New York for Thanksgiving. “It’s very beautiful,” the father of the family who arrived here a bit by chance: “We didn’t know it was the illuminations and we saw a lot of people so we approached.” Katie and her daughter Amel were less fortunate: “We left the house too late and missed out. the ceremony, says, disappointed, Katie. Last year we were early, but we’ll be back next year!”
An Extinction Ceremony
For the first time, there will be an extinction ceremony this Sunday at 11:45 p.m. to mark the fact that the illuminations are turning off earlier than usual, in order to make them more energy efficient. And it is the singer Louane who will sponsor this extinction ceremony.