Every year in early December, Lyon, France, welcomes the most dreamy moment of the year - the Light Festival. This grand event that combines history, creativity and art turns the city into a fantasy theater of light and shadow.
The 2024 Light Festival will be held from December 5 to 8, with a total of 32 works on display, 25 of which are classics in the history of the Light Festival, bringing the audience an excellent experience of revisiting and innovation.
"Mother"
The exterior wall of the Saint-Jean Cathedral is reborn under the decoration of lights and abstract art. The work uses color contrast and rhythm changes to show the power and beauty of nature. It seems that the elements of wind and water flow on the building, making people feel as if they are in the embrace of nature, immersed in it with music that combines reality and illusion.
"Snowball Love"
"I Love Lyon" is a work full of childishness and nostalgia, placing the statue of Louis XIV on the Place de la Plage in a huge snowball. This classic installation has been loved by tourists since its debut in 2006. This year's return will undoubtedly evoke warm memories in people's hearts again and add a touch of romance to the Light Festival.
"Son of Light"
This work tells a touching story on the banks of the Saône River through the interweaving of light and shadow: how a perpetually glowing filament leads a child to discover a whole new world. The projection of black and white pencil drawings combined with blues music creates a deep and warm artistic atmosphere that makes people immersed in it.
"Act 4"
This work is a classic, created by French artist Patrice Warrener. He is famous for his chrome stone craftsmanship, and this work presents the charming beauty of the Jacobin Fountain with colorful lights and delicate details. Accompanied by music, the audience can quietly appreciate every detail of the fountain and feel the magic of color.
"Return of Anooki"
The two lovely Inuit Anooki are back again! This time, they chose nature as the background to contrast with the previous urban installations. Anooki's playfulness, curiosity and energy inject a joyful atmosphere into the Parc de la Tête d'Or, attracting adults and children to share their yearning and love for nature.
"Boum de Lumières"
The core of the light festival celebration is fully displayed here. Brandon Park has carefully created interactive experiences suitable for families and young people to participate in: light shampoo dance, light karaoke, luminous masks, projection video painting and other creative activities, bringing endless joy to every participant.
"Return of the Little Giant"
The little giant, who first appeared in 2008, returns to the Place des Terreaux! Through colorful projections, the audience will follow the footsteps of the little giant and rediscover the wonderful world in the toy box. This is not only a fantasy journey, but also a profound reflection on poetry and beauty.
"Ode to Women"
This work at Fourvière Cathedral features rich three-dimensional animations and diverse vocal performances, from Verdi to Puccini, from traditional arias to modern choruses, paying tribute to women. The grandeur and delicacy of art are perfectly combined here.
Coral Ghost: Lament of the Deep Sea
Have you ever wondered what those beautiful scenes that disappear in the deep sea would look like? In the work "Coral Ghost" in the Place de la République, 300 kilograms of abandoned fishing nets are given new life and transformed into fragile and beautiful coral reefs in the ocean. The lights dance on the water, as if telling their stories. This is not only a visual feast, but also an "environmental love letter" to mankind, allowing us to reflect on the future of marine ecology.
Winter Flowers: Miracles from Another Planet
Will flowers bloom in winter? In the work "Winter Flowers" in the Parc de la Tête d'Or, the answer is yes. Those lightly swaying "flowers" dance with the wind, and the colors are unpredictable, as if they come from an unknown world. Their brilliance is reflected between the branches, forming a poetic picture. This is more than just a beautiful sight. It is more like a gentle question from nature: "How do you view these changes? What do you want to protect?"
Laniakea horizon 24: Rhapsody of the universe
In Ponce Square, the universe is within reach! A full decade after its first exhibition in the same place, Laniakea horizon24 is back to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Light Festival. Its name is both mysterious and charming, borrowed from the Hawaiian language, meaning "huge horizon". Inspired by the cosmic map drawn by Lyon astrophysicist Hélène Courtois, this work presents a stunning visual effect through 1,000 suspended light spheres and giant galaxy projections, making the audience feel as if they are in the vast Milky Way and feel the mystery and vastness of the universe.
Dance of Stardust: A poetic journey in the night sky
When night falls, clusters of glowing "stardust" float in the sky of the Golden Head Park and dance gently. They remind people of the dancing of fireflies in the summer night, but this time, they are to awaken our awe of the beauty of nature. The combination of light and music reaches harmony at this moment, and the audience seems to be in a fantasy world, with their hearts filled with gratitude and emotion for nature.
