the Festival of Lights 2022 in pictures
Two million visitors are expected this year in Lyon for the Festival of Lights. After a shortened 2021 edition due to covid, the party resumes its usual format this year, from December 8 to 11. Despite the increase in the price of electricity. “The Festival of Lights is part of the DNA of the city, for us it is really important to maintain it” affirms the ecological mayor of Lyon, Grégory Doucet. The chosen one highlights the sobriety of the event: “the works are essentially based on LED technology”, “very energy efficient,” he says.
In all, thirty luminous works were installed in the streets of Lyon. About twenty in the streets of downtown, made pedestrian for the occasion. In particular, we see portraits projected on the Place des Terreaux singing songs by Britney Spears or Diam’s. The other illuminations are to be seen in the Vieux Lyon district, in the Tête d’Or park and in the 8th arrondissement.
On the Place des Terreaux, in the center of Lyon, tables are animated to sing pop hits.
Credit: OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE / AFP
If you see candles in the windows of the Lyonnais, “lumignons”, they are a reminder of the Catholic origins of the Festival of Lights. The tradition comes froma plague epidemic which devastated France in 1643. The Lyon notables rely on Mary, and promise to all participate in the Christmas celebrations taking place on September 8 if Lyon is spared. In commemoration, a golden statue of the Virgin was installed in 1852 at the top of the basilica of Fourvière. Postponed by two months, the inauguration finally took place on December 8, and the people of Lyon participate by lighting “lights” at their window, giving rise to the Festival of Lights.