Sculpture in Progress

Sculpture in Progress, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Finally some cold weather. Flutissimo played a concert at the Marché de Nöel in Vieux Longueuil. Usually the outdoor area is full of snow and ice sculptures. The snow has held off and the rainy weather would have washed away any ice. So today some blocks of ice waited for these ice sculptors to turn them into wintry creations.

 

Earlier in the day the blocks stood ready. Despite the lack of snow, people were in the festive spirit -shopping at the kiosques for hand made items, gourmet local food items, locally produced goods. As we arrived early for the concert, I was able to wander around. I now have a cosy hat for the cold weather made of alpaca wool. 

Ice Carolers

Ice Carolers, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Every year Longueuil holds a Christmas market with stalls selling local wares from jewelry to food to fur hats. Flutissimo played a concert there (indoors but still chilly with the church door opening and closing frequently as people came and sat a while). Unfortunately I never get a chance to really peruse the stalls as I have all my instruments with me.

Coming out of the concert it was quite magical as night had fallen and all the lights from the stall and on the trees were twinkling. Some people were huddled around a bonfire, warming up after time spent shopping.


If you read French, you can find out more about the Marché de Noël.

Last year I took some daytime photos, see them here.

Day 354: Marché de Noël

Day 354: Marché de Noël, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Flutissimo played another concert, this time in Vieux Longueuil as part of the Marché de Noël. Little cabins surround Parc St-Marc, housing stalls selling all variety of crafts from food to toys to other gift items. It's nice to see the unique items - not the mass-produced "Made in China" items found in most stores.

There is a variety of festivities which take place both outdoors and indoors from dancing to train rides for children to concerts. This is patterned on an open air Christmas market which is held each year in Strasbourg, France. It can be quite cold, but there were small fireplaces set up where people could warm themselves. Looked like fun, but I was lugging all my instruments, so there was no time to really look around.