Christmas Time Is Here

Last year I experienced the magical Fête de Lumières for the first time. Four days of tea lights glowing on windowsills, music and light shows, and vin chaud stands on every corner. My Lyonnais friends told me that the best light festivals tend to come every two years. Since most people seemed to be disappointed last year, I assumed that this year would even more amazing. Despite a few mediocre displays, the general atmosphere of Lyon still exploded with excitement, energy, and happiness. The locals come out of their caves, tourists fill in from all over, and the streets clog up with tons and tons of people. You go out at sundown and stay out either until you cannot feel your feet anymore or you've had enough vin chaud that you're about to make a bench your bed. I learned last year that the best way to experience this festival is to explore different areas each night and then go back to your favorites on Sunday. There are too many people to see everything in one night (plus who says no to a crêpe pit stop every hour or so?)

Eyeballs

Hôtel de Ville put on a much better show this year. They always try to center the show around the famous Bartholdi fountain. This year the show was a lot more interactive and dramatic. The artists made use of all of the buildings, making the walls seem to pop out at you and then fall apart.  In my opinion, the young woman has lost her horses and is calling out for them. Once she finds them they turn back into the statue. Other friends thought differently. What is your opinion/story after watching it? (click here to check it out).

"Neighhhhh"

And the girl is transformed back into a statue.

Jellyfish chandeliers

Totem poles

Saint Jean was another favorite of mine this year. Although it was merely lights and music, the simplicity of the 8 minute show was breathtaking. Last year Saint Jean's beautiful facade was covered for majority of the year for a good ole cleaning. There is just something about this long weekend full of lights that stirs something deep down inside you. I definitely got a rush of emotions from this one.

Saint Jean

Bellecour

Looking down from the Fourvière hill.

Fourvière

Algae

The student designed light show

Made out of recycle plastic bottles

The wire man army at Parc de la Tête d'Or

And the wise wire dragon

Here are my two favorites from this year's festival. The first starts with a very E.T.-esque soundtrack and then moves onto what I will only assume from the repetitive melodies and scales to be Mozart (click here). Again, so very simple and perfect. The second took place on Rue de la République (right near Bellecour). The fountain was taken over by some pretty snazzy stick men. (click here) 

During the festival, I like to duck into the churches and just sit for a bit. I like to think about the Lyonnais back when they were praying to Mary, before this light festival was created, before they were saved from the plague, when the only lights that were shining were like the ones I light when I go in and sit down. In one of my favorite churches (sorry I'm not giving up my secret spot), there was a nativity (or crèche in French). Local students put together a pile of items that believed would be useful or needed for a modern day homeless couple going on a journey like Mary and Joseph.  Amazingly enough, all of this rubbish creates the perfect silhouette of Jesus' birth. On that note, I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy (C)Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, and Happy New Year wherever you may be! 

Students remake of Christmas Eve

It's baby Jesus yo! He's gonna be a superstar one day!