Windy theme for Limoges Carnaval this Sunday

Description:

Organisers of this year’s Carnaval in Limoges couldn’t have foreseen the carnage of last weekend’s explosive storm when they agreed the theme for the 2010 parade.

In what promises to be a ‘show of the winds’ no fewer than fourteen gigantic floats will make their way down from avenue du Général-de-Gaulle to Pont Neuf on Sunday, each carrying a wind related name,  "Éole, roi de Venise", "Les vents d'ange", Mistral gagnant", to name but a few.

However, despite the focus on wind, the parade will be cancelled if winds exceed 60kmh, with the tall moving structures vulnerable to the real thing.

The event normally attracts tens of thousands of spectators throughout the afternoon, and this year there will be coach-loads of visitors from places such as Nantes, Bordeaux and Orléans joining the Limogeauds from 3pm on Sunday.

Last year the theme was ‘Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis' (welcome to the sticks), in hommage to the award-winning film about people from the north of France.  Showery weather failed to dampen the spirits in 2009, and the weather for this weekend at least looks to be going to be dry, and partly cloudy, but a chilly 6C.

Local musicians will be joined by musical companies from Belgium, Portugal, Brazil, Italy and the Czech Republic for the 3km procession.  Around 400 musicians will take part this year with 1500 people in total forming the parade.  Proceedings will be brought to a close by the ‘La noyade du mannequin carnaval’ (drowning of the mannequin) at the Vienne River, Pont Neuf (around 17h30).

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