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LET LEMONS SPICE UP YOUR LIFE: Menton Fete Du Citron 2023


When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. 

Have you heard about this age old saying?  The sour taste of lemons is usually likened to the unpleasant conditions we experience in our lives which make us feel bitter, resentful and unhappy. Thus, you may hear some people say, "my life has gone sour."

This adage encourages us to be optimistic when life turns sour. When we are confronted with a problem or challenging situation, we should consider it as an opportunity - a chance to change or improve the way we do things or to discover new roads that better fit our life goals. 

A life of ups and downs should not be a stumbling block to moving forward.


THE LEMON SOLUTION

Menton, France is a charming town in the French Riviera. It is located along the coastline beyond Monaco on the border of Italy with a mild winter climate and year-round sunshine. These make the place ideal for growing citrus fruits especially lemons and oranges.  


Because of its mild winter climate and beautiful beaches, it became a favorite go-to-place for nobles, royalty and the affluent of Europe wanting to escape the harsh winter cold in the early days.


In 1895, a group of hoteliers saw the need to spice up the growing tourism activity in the town with new and interesting entertainment. What started as a simple town parade became a flower and lemon fruits exhibition that later transformed in 1934 into what is now known as the Fete du Citron (Festival of Lemons).


THE LEMON FESTIVAL OF MENTON, FRANCE

Menton was the first lemon producer in Europe. Lemons produced in Menton, France are said to be one-of-a-kind. They are harvested only when ripe and hand-picked from the tree.


Every year in the last two weeks of February, Menton celebrates its production of specialty lemons and citrus fruits. A parade of floats created out of lemons, oranges and flowers are displayed at the Bioves Jardin until the first week of March showcasing uniquely sculptured lemons and oranges depicting the theme for the year. For 2023, the theme is Rock and Opera.


It is said that while Menton produces a big volume of oranges and lemons, it still imports lemons and oranges from Spain to cover the needed number of oranges for the Lemon Festival totaling at least 100 tons. After the festival, the lemons, oranges and flowers used in the exhibit are sold to the public at very cheap prices.


THE LEMON FESTIVAL IS MORE THAN WORTH THE LONG TRIP

A 12-hour travel by bus from Vienna, Austria to the Italian-French border could be boring in winter. The fields and mountains are either brown or white and there are no green sceneries to view along the way. 

In addition, I joined a tour group where everyone spoke only Deutsch and I struggled relating to them with my basic knowledge of the language. 


Nevertheless, it was an awesome experience going through a series of long, underground tunnels under the mountains as you approach Italy and pass Monaco on the way to Menton, France. 

The transition from snow-capped mountains to brown fields and valleys to green vegetation as the bus moves from Austria to Italy and France was like a mystery unfolding before my eyes. 

At first, I thought that snow can be sad and dreary, but discovered it looked beautiful at night with its eternal whiteness shining in the dark.


From our hotel in Diano Marina, Italy, it took another one and a half hours to reach the site of the Lemon Festival in Menton.  The excellent creativity and craftmanship and meticulous effort that went into the production of the lemon and orange sculptures was one for the books and made the festival truly worth seeing.

Statistics indicate that this festival brings at least 250,000 visitors to Menton every year. I am happy I became one of them this year.


Admirably, the people of Menton, France went beyond making lemonades.

How about you, what have you done with your lemons?

Share with us in the comment box below or send me an email at greencraftivist@gmail.com.



Alles Gute!

Apple Bleza - Morales

About the Author:
Apple (or Maybelle in the corporate setting) is a retired Human Resources Professional who is passionately immersed in home and community gardening, related arts and crafts and efforts for the promotion of a green environment. 

Photos by:  Maybelle B. Morales - Menton, France: February 2023.











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