Image of the week
Ringing in the festive season
17 Dec 2018
A beautiful Christmas tree set in the middle of a Provençal nativity scene in the ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ lobby has brought the festive season to ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. The tree is a gift of the mayor of Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, Roger Pizot, who turned the switch in the traditional tree lighting ceremony on Friday last week, in the presence of Director-General Bernard Bigot and ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ staff.
Roger Pizot (left), the mayor of Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, lights the Christmas tree he traditionally gifts to ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Look closely for the ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ scientist to the right of the nativity scene.
Expressing his appreciation and thanks, Bigot said that "the tree symbolizes Mr. Pizot's generosity towards ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ and his continuous and strong support for ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ in the community."
A keen observer could spot the ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ scientists among the "santons," the little saints, traditional figurines that make up the nativity scene. Clad in a white cloak, the scientist points at a miniature blackboard and reminds us of the scientific goal of ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ—to produce 500 MW of fusion power from 50 MW of injected heating power (²Ï≥10).