Lyon is the "Ville des Lumières"!
The Lyon “Fête des lumières” was created in 1643
to express the population’s gratitude toward the Virgin Mary. It has been
celebrated on the 8th December each year since then. This festival became popular in 1852 due to
the newly built statue of the Virgin Mary next to the Basilica. The festival
changed from a celebration to the Nativity of the Virgin to what is has become
today, a day of joy mainly concentrated on artistic designs using a variety of
lighting effects. People can make their own glass display in their homes to
participate in the event but the City Council also pays artists and
professional decorators to add their own personal creations to the city and its
surroundings.
This festival is known around the globe as one
of the biggest festive gatherings in terms of people who go there after the Rio
Carnival and Oktoberfest. Lasting four days, up to 4 million tourists attend
each year. The two biggest attractions of the festival are normally at the Fourvière
Basilica, the facades of which are lit up with different colors and patterns.
The second important location is at Place des Terreaux which has a different
light show every year.
The festival is growing every year and has won
many prizes including the famous trophy for the best public event in 2006.
We interviewed Brooke, a friend of ours, who kindly
shared her experience: “I went there in 2013 and it was one of the best moments
of my life. The light shows made me feel like I was in a completely different
world and the music put me in a mood that was magical… It was the best feeling
I have ever had! My favorite event was the Ferris Wheel; my favorite part was
the story of Pierrot waking up. I really recommend going, it’s a fantastic
festival!’’
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