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Images of the week

Christmas away from home

2 Dec 2024

Eighteen years ago, ITER, one of the largest research projects ever established, found a home in a small Provençal village—Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, pop. 956. A few years later, the ITER Organization moved into a building of its own, with a lobby large enough to welcome guests, host special events and … accommodate a tall Christmas tree.

Traditionally presented to to the ITER community by the municipality of the project's hometown, Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, the tall Christmas tree was lit jointly by the mayor of the village, Romain Buchaut (right) and ITER Director-General Pietro Barabaschi.

Presented by the municipality of Saint-Paul-les-Durance, its baubles and garlands lit jointly by the mayor of the village and the Director-General of the ITER Organization a few weeks before Christmas, the illuminated tree and the traditional crèche¹ at its foot have become a symbol of the relationship between the project, its staff and collaborators, and the local community of which they are now part.

The illuminated tree has become a symbol of the relationship between the project and the local community of which it is part.

 “This great international scientific venture is now solidly anchored in our local territory, its culture and economy,” said Romain Buchaut, the mayor of the village, in his address. ITER Director-General Pietro Barabaschi responded by drawing a parallel between the spirit of Christmas and that of ITER, both made of hope and expectations for renewal.

1 The crèche is an age-old popular representation of the Nativity, set in the context of traditional life in the villages of Provence with characters such as shepherds, a baker, a country priest, the Announcing Angel—all figured in clay figurines, or santons. The ITER crèche has innovated by including a fusion scientist.

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