Ancient Greek lemon crush

I can't think of a better way to start the new year in the blog than with another well-written, well-illustrated guest post by archaeologist-museologist Dr Naya Dalakoura!

I know you enjoyed her last post, so once again feast your eyes and enjoy Naya's post.

Dr Naya Dalakoura

Remember the old adage -  When life gives you lemons, make lemonade? Well, seems that some talented artists are way beyond that, making and consuming not only lemonade, but pretty much all of the world’s antiquity!

Why lemons? Because Menton, a French town located exactly where a warm micro-climate favorable to lemons and oranges boast, bursts every February into a riot of color for the huge citrus - scented celebration known as Fête du Citron, offering just the kind of vitamin C fix you need after a long hard winter. The unique event attracts thousands of visitors, following a different chosen theme each year.

The theme of the Lemon Festival 2011 has been The Great Civilizations.  About 145 metric tons of bright and juicy world renowned citrus fruits were used to create some elaborate, extraordinary, temporary, giant sized sculptures. Everything from tiny mandarins to juicy lemons are competing for attention in a massive fun theme park where all the great civilizations of the ancient world are represented.

At this point you may be thinking ‘a static display of citrus fruits….sounds like going to a grocery store!’…oh well you would be unbelievably wrong. The originality and whimsicality of the different citrus sculptures is stunning! Models of historic importance all made of oranges and lemons, with each fruit being individually attached to a sub-frame with a rubber band present selected ancient Greek themes that dominate the art work.  

Sweet’ n ’sour Trojan Horse, fruity shots of the myth of Helen of Troy, fragrant citrus Theseus with a Minotaur outside a labyrinth and the gorgon Medousa’s head and snakes against the fruity pillars are all impressive man made masterpieces attracting the visitors to pose with them! And the best: each exhibit has an appropriate sound track! Marching soldiers and the clip-clop of horses' hooves can easily make you feel like a Trojan War soldier!

Got any lemon crazy?

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Perseus and Medusa 

Theseus and Minotaur 

Helen of Troy

The Trojan Horse

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Want more? 

Read Dr Naya Dalakoura's previous post on ArCAKEology, an edible archaeology