England 2006

The Sultan's Elephant

Actually, it's Jules Verne's elephant. This then closes the loop for me with Nantes, France, the home of Jules Verne, the 19th century technical visionary. The stamp was issued in his honor by Monaco. It depicts a mechanical elephant. In Nantes there is now a theme-park, that did not exists when I visited there in 2001, where such mechanical creatures are on display. Luck had it, that the French band Les Balayeurs du désert arrived from Nantes to perform Jules Verne Impact in London in 2006, and I was there to witness the spectacle of the mechanical elephant.

Day 1

Les Balajeurs Du Désert

Walking toward town from Paddington via Hyde Park I heard heavy drum beat and music in the distance, suddenly there was this remarkable sight

A mechanical elephant slowly walking by, occasionally spraying the massed audience with a fine mist of water

There were trunk men and leg men that were controlling every move

Interestingly, the elephant was not alone	Note the 'puppet master' in the foreground, arms wired

Behind the elephant there was a 'little' mechanical girl

The procession moved to city hall, then with the little girl in the lead

Madam Lord Mayor of London introduced the 'Sultan'

Everyone made a short speech regarding the Olympics coming to London, here the Minister of Culture at the mike, and then it was over, except, there was a 2nd day performance announced for the next day - Sunday.

To Page 2

3D Home