(VOVworld) - When it comes to festivals, people often think of lively music, games, or parties. But the Festival of Lights in Lyon, France, happens in a silent and peaceful atmosphere. It’s where you can see public buildings, town squares, and city parks all become canvases for works of art that light up the night sky. VOV’s talk with Yoan Guyon, an engineer from Lyon who has been living in Hanoi for 5 years, about this unique festival.

Q: Hello Yoan Guyon and thank you for being on air with us today! If you have something to say first about Lyon, what would it be?

A: The most important thing in Lyon in terms of culture is December 8^th. It is the “Festival of Lights”. Around 4 million people come from all over Europe every year at this time. And it is a way for the people of Lyon to thank Mary, the mother of Jesus. It is said that Mary saved Lyon from the great plague, which was coming up from the South of France, and stopped before arriving in Lyon. On that day, they asked the people to put candles in the windows and on the doors. Every house, every apartment, every building in Lyon was lit up by the candles, which lasted all night to thank Mary. This tradition started like this.

Candles, left by visitors, at the town hall (Photo: theworklife.com)

Q: How long does the festival last? Is it an annual event?

A: Yes it happens every year. It generally lasts four days. The main activities, the biggest shows happen on December 8^th. They try to put it on at the weekend. If December 8^th is on Thursday, they will make it last Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It the December 8^th is Sunday, they will start before. On that day, the subway is free. And that’s actually the only way you can move because the roads are closed, no cars are allowed to be in the city during the day. It’s really really crowded at night, the same crowd as the New Year in Hanoi when they make big events.

The festival illuminates the whole city of Lyon (dailymail.co.uk)

Q:Wow I see. It’s so enjoyable, isn’t it?

A: Yes you have some ceremonies. The people gather, they walk in the streets, they eat chestnuts, and they drink some hot wine. It’s really interesting. It’s time for people to gather. They put the candles in every window, even in small villages. It’s really nice. You have to see it once. In Lyon, there are many churches everywhere. People from Lyon have always been really strong believers. On the top of the hills, several times you could see they put some very big writing “Merci Marie!” which means “Thank you Mary!” Last year, the party was cancelled because of the terrorist attack in Paris on November 13^th. Lyon didn’t want to make a celebration. They turn it into a memorial event for the people to pray together.

Q: What do you remember most about the Festivals that you have participated in?

A: Yes. I cannot remember which year it was, but I remember one which was really nice. On the big church, the architecture is very nice already, but when they add the lights, and they made this architecture stronger with many colors, it seemed like the building was moving because it’s all in the dark. You’re in the night and you only had the light in front of you. They made a short movie about the way Lyon was built and the people who built the churches. It was a really long time ago. They used some tools and put the stones on the top of each other, and the whole architecture and structure were amazingly smart. The engineers at that time were really strong because they had nothing, no machines, and they had to find ways to build such a huge monument. In 2010, I’m not sure, there was a public phone box, they closed it, and they put some water, some fish, and some light inside. It was something quite new, and that was something that they never did before. 

City light – a creative perspective (Photo: meetup.com)

Q: Well, I bet that you really really like it, right? Do you often spend the days with your family or friends?

A: Since I was born, I do these things of lighting the light on December 8^th. Every family participates in it because every family put the candles in their window. For me, when I was a kid, it was a great day for me because I could light some candles and put it in my window, and that made light in my bedroom when I was sleeping. I put the candles in some glasses with several colors, so it made a lot of colors. That was the day that I was allowed to play with fire, you know. It’s kind of a family thing. 

Q: How much does the festival mean to Lyon’s citizens?

A: It’s really cultural even if you don’t believe in God. It’s the representative of Lyon. It’s not really like everybody is naked, throwing clothes and having a party. It’s quieter. People walk silently. They are amazed by the lighting and it’s something peaceful. And you have this also religious meaning that the people will not shout and do crazy things. It’s something really traditional, really specific to Lyon. I guess if one year, the city of Lyon decides not to do it because it’s very expensive, I think the people will go into the street and protest. Because it’s very important. I think it’s the most important thing for the people living in Lyon. I think for them, it’s more important than July 14^th, the National Day. It’s a huge event, it’s amazing to go out in Lyon when everything is colored like that.

Q: What peaceful and beautiful days for Lyonese. I’d love to have a colorful night in Lyon some day. Thank you again for the lovely talk. And that was Yoan Guyon on VOV24/7’s Cultural Rendezvous. Join us next time for more interesting cultural activities from around the world.