Less than a month before the opening of the 2011 carnival, the carnival workers are bustling. At the Carnival House, welders, painters, and other workers are hurrying to finish the carnival stars on time.
23 days to go before the opening of the 2011 Carnival. This year, the king of the Mediterranean will be in the spotlight. While waiting for the first parade on February 18, the workers are bustling behind the scenes to be ready on time. “We have about forty workers this year, coming from four different companies who are handling the creation of the twenty or so floats that will parade,” says Eric Dubreil, artistic coordinator of the carnival. In the hangar, all the floats are lined up. Some are finished, others are being painted, and others are waiting. It’s a long-term task. “We started in October, earlier than in previous years, we’re well ahead!” confides Jean-Pierre, head of one of the event companies handling the floats.
“We are never safe from the unexpected!”
Cecilia, one of the painters from Jean-Pierre's company, indicates: "we don't count our hours. We are here from morning to night, every day. I couldn't say what the workload all this represents!" Even if the "work" is well advanced "we are never safe from the unexpected," says Jean-Pierre. "We will have things to do until the last moment. We are not safe from an 'accident,' a painting error, a 'tear' on one of the floats, etc. We must prepare for all eventualities!" he adds. The heaviest workload is on the float of the King of Carnival. A character almost 18 meters high divided into two. The final assembly of the float should take place in front of everyone at Place Masséna just before the start of the festivities. The floats this year should once again delight both young and old.
Justine Peltier
