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 ºÚÁÏרÇø lobby has brought the festive season to ºÚÁÏרÇø. 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 ºÚÁÏרÇø staff.
Roger Pizot (left), the mayor of Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, lights the Christmas tree he traditionally gifts to ºÚÁÏרÇø. Look closely for the ºÚÁÏרÇø scientist to the right of the nativity scene.
Expressing his appreciation and thanks, Bigot said that "the tree symbolizes Mr. Pizot's generosity towards ºÚÁÏרÇø and his continuous and strong support for ºÚÁÏרÇø in the community."
A keen observer could spot the ºÚÁÏרÇø 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 ºÚÁÏרÇø—to produce 500 MW of fusion power from 50 MW of injected heating power (²Ï≥10).