Imagine an avenue of trees draped with rosy apples and leaves of light, and streetlights festooned in tulips and foliage, adorning the centre of Bordeaux with a hint of spring in the middle of winter.
Nestled at the heart of the end-of-year festivities, the winter solstice celebrates the rebirth of the sun, and heralds the arrival of spring and the lengthening of the days celebrated in all civilisations since the dawn of time.
Originally, Christmas trees were decorated with rosy, red apples and dubbed the "tree of life" or "tree of paradise". From the 18th century onwards, this magical tree was illuminated with candles or, in more recent times, with garlands of electric lights, evoking unconscious memories of both pagan and Christian reverence for light, characteristic of those times. During the festivities, the log from a fruit tree was burnt to ensure a good harvest. And since it is said that Christmas is also a night of miracles, what could be more natural than to see apples of light suspended from ash trees in the middle of winter?
