The Tree Festival takes root in Figeacois: the third edition will take place on Sunday in Espédaillac

At Sainte-Catherine, it is well known, everything takes root. The adage is happily confirmed on the occasion of the Arbor Festival, which is very popular every fall and whose third edition is planned for this Sunday, November 24 in Espédaillac. Organized by the Figeac association Lucioles and Cultures des Demains, a permaculture farm based in Bouyssou, the event grows a little bigger each year in the heart of the Lot, one of the most wooded departments in France. “The idea with the Tree Festival is to bring the public to a better understanding of this aspect of biodiversity. Our objective is to raise awareness of the forest, to present the tree in several aspects and also to make people want to replant It's fundamental for us and it's also part of the quality of life that we seek in the Lot” underlines Cédric Couturier, member of the Lucioles association, present since the start of the adventure.

The Tree Festival, which offers a varied one-day program of activities, workshops, walks and conferences, has enjoyed great popular success from the start, particularly with families. A craze which encourages the organizers to renew the operation which has been preparing behind the scenes for several months. “We were a little surprised during the first edition in Saint-Bressou to see the people it attracted. We had the same success last year in Corn. I believe that it is above all a theme which brings together very widely” believes Cédric Couturier.

“There is something for everyone”

From 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., the free event where everyone is invited to make “free and conscious participation” offers meetings for children but also for adults. “There is something for everyone with things throughout the day: a conference at 10:30 a.m. will be given by Michel Prieur on the ORE law (Real Environmental Obligations), a little later at 11:30 a.m. a walk is offered with a forest ranger to discover the trees and shrubs of the Causse, in the afternoon another “distilled” conference by Carole Bertrand is planned” explains the organizer. Reading stories, screening a documentary, shared meal or even creating a collective fresco complete the program. Stands will be open continuously at the Espédaillac village hall and nurserymen will also be present all day.

The Tree Festival, which changes municipality every year, aims to go beyond a simple annual day of activities. The volunteers at the helm of the event propose to the municipality which hosts them to plant a tree or hedges the following fall thanks to the profits made. So on November 17, a small ceremony took place near the Corn village hall. A very appreciated symbolic action.

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