The light spectacles produced these days are a far cry from the original candles and flares.

The Fête des lumières (festival of lights) in Lyon, France expresses gratitude toward Mary, mother of Jesus on December 8 of each year. ||-||} Lyon, also known as Lyons in English is a city in east-central France. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. This uniquely Lyonnaise tradition dictates that every house place candles along the outsides of all the windows to produce a spectacular effect throughout the streets. The festival, which includes other activities based on light, usually lasts 4 days, with the peak of activity occurring on the 8th. The two main focal points of activity are typically the Basilica of Fourvière which is lit up in different colours, and the Place des Terreaux, which hosts a different light show each year. The Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière is a Basilica in Lyon. Built with private funds between 1872 and 1896 in a dominating position in the city as a mark of the

History

Spared from plague

The origins of the festival date to 1643 when Lyon was struck by plague. Bubonic plague is the best-known manifestation of the bacterial disease plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis (formerly known as The municipal councillors (échevins) promised to pay tribute to Mary if the town was spared. Ever since, a solemn procession makes its way to the Basilica of Fourvière on this day to light candles and give offerings in the name of Mary. The event thus commemorates the day Lyon was consecrated to the Virgin Mary.

Inauguration of a statue

The Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière on the hill is the focal point for the celebration.

In 1852, it became a popular festival when a statue of the Virgin Mary was erected next to the Basilica, overlooking the city. Now a focal point of the festival, the statue was created by the renowned sculptor Fabisch and was sponsored by several notable Lyonnais Catholics. It was then accepted by the Cardina de Bonald in 1850. The inauguration of the statue was due to take place on September 8, 1852, the day of celebration of the Virgin . Events 70 - Roman forces under Titus sack Jerusalem. 1264 - The Statute of Kalisz However, the flooding of the Saône prevented the statue from being ready. The Saône (son ( Sona in Arpitan) is a River of eastern France. The archbishop, with the agreement of a committee of lay people, therefore chose to move the date back to the 8 December. Events 1609 - Biblioteca Ambrosiana opens its reading room the second public library of Europe.

By 1852 in Lyon, December 8 had already been a celebration for the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin. Events 1609 - Biblioteca Ambrosiana opens its reading room the second public library of Europe. For dogmatic context see Roman Catholic Mariology. For artistic depictions see Roman Catholic Marian art. Leading up to the inauguration, everything was in place for the festivities: The statue was lit up with flares, fireworks were readied for launching from the top of Fourvière Hill and marching bands were set to play in the streets. The prominent Catholics of the time suggested lighting up the façades of their homes as was traditionally done for major events such as royal processions and military victories.

Candles are lit in this building on the banks of the Saône.

However, on the morning of the big day, a storm struck Lyon. The master of ceremonies hastily decided to cancel everything and to push back the celebrations once more to the following Sunday. In the end the skies cleared and the people of Lyon, who had been eagerly anticipating the event, spontaneously lit up their windows, descended into the streets and lit flares to illuminate the new statue and the Chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Fourvière, later superseded by the Basilica. The people sang songs and cried "Vive Marie!" until late in the night. This celebration was then repeated from year to year.

Today

Giant tulips put in place at Place de la comédie for the 2005 celebration.

Thus, tradition now dictates that every family in Lyon keep, along with its Christmas decorations, a collection of stained or clear glass in which candles are burnt on windowsills on the 8th of December. These stout, cinnamon-coated candles can be found in shops towards the end of November.

A fire performer at Place Bellecour, 2005. The Place Bellecour is a large plaza in Lyon, France.Measuring 312m by 200m it is the largest clear square (i

Nowadays, the city's council puts on professionally-run performances. The people of Lyon's participation remains strong as evidenced by numerous façades lit up in the traditional way and by the throngs of people wandering the streets on December 8.

Historians and sociologists note the rather misinformed notions that the people of Lyon have concerning the celebration's origins: confusion over the thanks given to Mary, as well as the dates involved, leads people to think the celebration commemorates the establishment of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière or a wish granted after a plague supposedly struck in the 19th century. The Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière is a Basilica in Lyon. Built with private funds between 1872 and 1896 in a dominating position in the city as a mark of the

Photos of the 2006 edition

Saint-Jean Cathedral	Cour des Voraces	Installation "I Love Lyon" on Place Bellecour	"Vélo'v racing in Lyon" video game on Place de la République
City Hall

Photos of the 2007 edition

Pont Bonaparte	L'Hôtel de Ville	L'Opéra de Lyon	Théâtre des Célestins
Théâtre des Célestins	Fontaine des Jacobins	"New Tone" Place de la République	Boule de neige, Place Bellecour
Gros pot rose

Sources

• This article incorporates text translated from the corresponding French Wikipedia article as of 8 June 2006. Lyon Cathedral ( Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Lyon) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Lyon, France, the seat of the Archbishop The Place Bellecour is a large plaza in Lyon, France.Measuring 312m by 200m it is the largest clear square (i Vélo'v is Bicycle rental service run by the city of Lyon, France, in conjunction with the Advertising company JCDecaux. A city hall or town hall is the chief administrative building of a City or Town 's administration and usually houses the city or The Fête des lumières (festival of lights in Lyon, France expresses gratitude toward Mary mother of Jesus on December 8 of each year Events 68 - The Roman Senate accepts emperor Galba. 536 - St Silverius becomes Pope (probable Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

External links

• Official web site