Fête des lumières cancelled
(France) – Following terrorist attacks in Paris, this year’s event will become tribute to the victims.
New events occurring on Wednesday, have confirmed that a threat is still present at an elevated level. Therefore, in agreement with the Prefect of the Rhône-Alpes Region and with the Festival of Lights partners, in particular the founding members, the Festival of Lights cannot take place in the usual joyous way.
As it is one of the city’s most emblematic events, the City of Lyon has decided to move this year’s program to December 2016. This year, the Festival of Lights will become a tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack in Paris. The tribute is scheduled for 8 December. On that day, the people of Lyon are requested to illuminate the city by placing lumignon candles in their windows. These candles will also be present on the Incity Tower and the “Pencil” building in the Part-Dieu district through scenographies that will be specially designed for the occasion.
In addition, the Saône quays and Fourvière Hill will present the work by Daniel Knipper entitled “Regards”. Part of the initial program, this fresco composed of close-ups on the eyes of figures from the paintings of master artists will pay homage to the attack victims as it scrolls their names across facades on the quays.
From now until then, to encourage mobilisation, 200,000 lumignon candles will be handed out to schoolchildren and sold by volunteers from Lyon to raise money for the association of terrorist victims and the “Rêves” association, which is this year’s beneficiary of the “Candles from the Heart” operation.
“To my way of thinking, protecting the people of Lyon does not mean giving in to terrorists. What they want above all is to sow discord and pit us one against another, to create ruptures in our society between groups according to their origin, their religion and the way they choose to live. I am convinced that December 8 will convey this message with a great deal of strength and dignity,” stated Gérard Collomb, Senator-Mayor of Lyon and President of Lyon Métropole.
“This decision is a wise one. The government will be fully mobilised to guarantee optimal security for this new configuration of the Festival of Lights,” affirmed Michel Delpuech, Prefect of the Rhône-Alpes Region and Prefect of the Rhône.
