La Fête des Lumières - Part 1

Our primary reason for returning to Lyon at the beginning of November for a six-week stay was La Fête des Lumières.  This annual December 8^th celebration has its origins in a thanksgiving to the Virgin Mary for saving Lyon from the plague or from the Prussians.  (We’ve heard both versions.)  It started with people lining their window sills with votive candles – a remarkable sight in itself in this city of apartment buildings.   More recently the city has transformed itself into an incredible world of lighting displays.   Facades of buildings are metamorphosed via lighting, major city streets are transformed into breathtaking lighting displays, and the bridges and banks of the Saone and Rhone are changed into works of art of light and color.  Not surprisingly, it has become quite the tourist event with large crowds of people gathering in the streets.  It is an amazing experience!  But, don’t take our word for it – check out the video of last year’s  Fête .

But, in this day and age, nowhere is safe from terrorists – not at any time.  That’s an unfortunate

fact that too many countries have experienced, and, as we’re sure you are aware, Paris was brutally attacked on November 13^th.  As in the US after 9/11, people have come together to honor and mourn the victims and present an outraged but undaunted  presence against the terrorists. The national government has declared a three month state of emergency (giving the government and police extraordinary powers), and almost all of the terrorists involved on the 13^th  are either dead or in custody.  But, the terrorist danger and raids and arrests will be going on for some time.

Because of all this, Gérard Collomb, Mayor of Lyon, has declared that this year’s fête will be transformed into homage to the victims.  La Tour Incity and " Le Crayon", the two tallest buildings in the city will be illuminated and there will be a memorial display in town, but the other major lighting displays are “postponed” until next year.  People are encouraged to line their window sills with candles to honor the victims, and school children will be selling candle holders with the proceeds going to a fund for the victims.

 

So on evening of the 8^th we will line our two large windows facing rue Moncey with candles and likely also wander around town to take in the displays on the river banks as well as the two buildings.  Stay tuned for Part 2.