Festival of Lights Lyon 2020: From An Age-Old Tradition To A Unique Urban Event:

The Festival of Lights extends the traditional festival of the 8th December, when the residents of Lyon celebrate the Virgin Mary, whose statue stands on the Fourvière hill, overlooking the city. They put candle lamps on their window sills and balconies and wander the streets of the city.

On the 8 September 1852, as the city was preparing to celebrate the installation of a statue of the Virgin Mary in the Chapel on the Fourvière Hill, the ceremony had to be abandoned as the River Saône was overflowing. The festivities were put back to December 8 of the same year. But the climate did not favour the organisers - a violent storm broke out during the day, and the event had to be abandoned. Then seeing the weather improving as night fell, the population spontaneously lit their homes with candles and Bengal lights and hurried down into the street.

The Tradition Of The Little Lights:

Since then the ritual has been repeated every year - the people of Lyon decorate their windows and balconies with thousands of little lights - candles protected by little glass shades whose flames wreathe the city in a warm and gentle light, as winter draws near. While continuing to respect this age-old tradition, the festival has over the last ten years mutated into an outstanding urban event, born of the wish to create a festival that would unite all of the people of Lyon and continue to celebrate the lighting of the city begun in 1889. Since then every year, for four nights around the 8 December Lyon becomes the centre of light show design with artists from around the world, performances and light shows creating unique designs that attract millions of visitors.

The City Lighting Plan:

• The Lighting Plan and the top-level skills of local experts have made Lyon a major center of “light design” and urban lighting, whether temporary or long-term.

• Started in 1989, the first Lighting Plan was a pioneering initiative with political, technical and artistic impact. By organizing permanent lighting for Lyon, it gave the city a new face and enabled lighting over 250 sites throughout the urban area. Light is no longer just for security; it has become an essential component of the urban landscape.

• n 2004, the second Lighting Plan completed and reinforced the first one. This time, light freed itself from being just a way to emphasize monuments; it adapted to the activities and rhythms of the city, highlighting rivers, hills, silhouettes and major roadways.

• Recognized as a distinct art and a profession, urban lighting has become an essential factor in the international impact of Lyon and its suburbs.

• Companies from Lyon featuring light designers, artists or architects are invited to share their knowledge around the world.