French farmers turn Champs-Elysees into huge farm

Source: BBC

One of Paris's main thoroughfares, the Champs-Elysees, has been covered in earth and turned into a huge green space in an event staged by young French farmers.

They want to highlight their financial problems, caused by falling prices for agricultural produce.

~~~

The union, which represents some 55,000 farmers under the age of 35, wants to impress on the public - and the government - the efforts required to produce what goes on the table.

"It's about re-establishing contact with the public about what our profession is and what they want from it," William Villeneuve, president of the Jeunes Agriculteurs, said on Friday.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/europe/10143393.stm

---

I admire the creativity, visual impact and inclusion of community of this event.


France24 has a better video:
http://www.france24.com/en/20100523-france-paris-champs-elysées-transformed-farm-nature-capital

That's a Huge area. Full of cars and people when I was there.

Can you imagine a major American city letting this happen?

Not a chance.

I would love to see it in person, too.

Did you get a chance to watch the video on France24 yet?
It's brief, slightly over a minute.

I think this statement during that video shows the difference in viewpoint:
"The Champs Elysées is a superb public space."

I don't think we tend to view our main streets in cities in that way.
I'd love to see something similar happen here.

I didn't realize it was broken.

And it's worthwhile to watch.