Capitalbay Information Portal: Festival of Lights: Lyon's majestic buildings brilliantly displayed in its annual event

Festival of Lights: Lyon's majestic buildings brilliantly displayed in its
annual event
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Staff on 12/07/2012 16:59:00


By  Alex Ward
PUBLISHED: 14:28 EST, 7 December 2012  |   UPDATED: 16:59 EST, 7 December 2012
The majestic buildings of Lyon have become illuminated in brilliant light in one
of France’s biggest cultural events, its annual Festival of Lights.
Every year in early December the spectacular light display attracts some three
million visitors to the historic city.
People come to gaze at flashes of light and flares, as well as performers and
creative displays at the four-day event which is on until this Sunday.
Scroll down for video
Brilliantly bright: A historic building in Lyon lit up for the annual Festival
of Lights, one of France's biggest cultural events
Spectacular display: The buildings are lit up with incredible images and colours
in the four-day event which attracts some three million visitors each year
But while the festival is cutting-edge in outlook, its origins lie far in the
past.
It has been ingrained in the calendar since 1852 and even then, came into being
as a tribute to the Virgin Mary, part of a promise made when an outbreak of
plague in the city subsided in 1643.
The unique Lyonnaise tradition sees every house put candles along the outside of
all windows, creating a spectacular light throughout the streets.
This year each night has a different theme, colour scheme and vibe and has been
created by designers from all over the world.
Music, sound and video accompany the vibrant displays that incorporate
buildings, rivers and parks.
Changing facades: The displays, projected onto buildings in the French city,
change creating beautiful displays of creative, unique lighting changing the
entire look of the building as put in lights
Cutting-edge entertainment: People watch on in awe as flares go off around this
statue at the festival which is one until this Sunday
Sets the mood: Illuminated hearts line this street in the festival which has
been ingrained in the calendar since 1852 as a tribute to the Virgin Mary, part
of a promise made when an outbreak of plague in the city subsided in 1643
International influence: Designers from all over the world have taken part in
the festival to create various displays around the city
Bright lights, big city: The buildings seem to move as this lighting animation
moves across the facade in Lyon, France
Themed festivities: This year each night of the four-day event has a different
theme, colour scheme and vibe
A city in colour: Colourful outdoor lights and flags have become a fixture
during the Festival of Lights, brightening the nights for visitors and residents
alike as the temperature drops
Lining the streets: The unique Lyonnaise tradition sees every house put candles
along the outside of all windows, creating a spectacular light throughout the
streets
VIDEO: HILARIOUS LIGHT DISPLAY KICKS OF FESTIAL OF LIGHTS IN LYON