Fête des Lumières 2023: Lyon’s Dazzling Light Festival

Coinciding with the Christian feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th, the festival increasingly captivates international artists and audiences alike.
Coinciding with the Christian feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th, the festival increasingly captivates international artists and audiences alike.

The 2023 Fête des Lumières, set to enchant Lyon from December 7 to 10, heralds an extraordinary showcase of 32 ephemeral installations. This vibrant celebration of light art and design has, since 1999, transformed into an international artistic sensation, drawing in a diverse range of artists, designers, and videographers to cast a new light on Lyon’s historic centre and its iconic landmarks.

The History of Fête des Lumières

Tracing its origins back to the 17th century, the Fête des Lumières started as Lyon’s heartfelt plea to the Virgin Mary for protection against the plague. This deep-rooted tradition began in 1643 and took a significant turn on December 8, 1852. On this day, Lyon’s citizens, witnessing a miraculous break in the weather, lit their homes with candles and lanterns as a sign of gratitude. This spontaneous act of devotion has since blossomed into a city-wide festival, offering a modern twist on a historic tradition. Today, the Fête des Lumières is not just a light festival; it’s a canvas for artistic expression and social connection, infusing the city with the magic of Christmas as streets, squares, and monuments are bathed in light, enhanced by the creative contributions of its residents.

2. Kernel³ by Ruestungsschmie.de, Saint-Jean Cathedral, Fête des Lumières

Fête des Lumières 2023

Embracing the essence of innovation and community, Lyon’s Mayor Grégory Doucet sees the Festival of Lights as a beacon of creativity and inclusivity. 

“We are dedicated to making the event accessible to all, crafting diverse routes, extending the hours, and focusing on interactive installations that invite contemplation and participation, reaching further into the heart of our neighbourhoods”, he explains. 

3. GAZOUILLIS#2 by BIBI, Place du 8 mai 1945, Fête des Lumières

Building on its commitment to the environment, the Fête des Lumières has leapt sustainability, employing LED lighting and embracing themes centred around climate change and communal engagement.

This edition is poised to offer a mesmerizing journey through Lyon’s architectural grandeur, inviting a diverse audience to partake in a celebration that’s both visually stunning and environmentally conscious.

This quality is a key element in sustainable and responsible development and is omnipresent in the Italian design chain. It serves as the core for conceiving and developing innovative ideas that merge functionality and well-being. Quality, thus, transcends being a mere goal and becomes a hallmark of our methodology”.

4. Geysers by Jérôme Donna, Parc de la Tête d'Or, Fête des Lumières

H2: Captivating Installations at Fête des Lumières 2023

The 2023 Fête des Lumières makes Lyon the protagonist of dynamic installations. Some not to be missed are:

 

Pia Vidal: Life Before Life

This piece by Lyon’s digital visual artist, Pia Vidal, embarks the audience on a journey that intertwines the soul, rites of passage, and death. It’s a fast-paced, profound work symbolizing life’s cycles, enriched by global traditions and rituals.

Simon Lazarus 84: Bangarang Manifesto
A graphic tale that contrasts dissonance with silence, chaos with order. Originating from Parisian graffiti, Simon Lazarus 84 now explores digital art, presenting a vibrant, carnival-like scene disrupted by a methodical Master Clockmaker.

Ludovic Burczykowski: Something Should be Happening
A ghost train experience by the Lille artist, marked by contrasts and playful mischief, driven by artificial intelligence to depict the nuances of time and movement.

5. Sign by Vendel & de Wolf, Place de la République, Fête des Lumières

Laurence De Wilde: The Train of Thoughts

De Wilde invites audiences into a series of works against a backdrop of neuronal imagery, exploring common unease and the accelerating pace of life in public spaces.

Tundra: Row at Célestins Theatre
For the first time, an installation is presented inside and during the day. The Russian collective Tundra utilizes ten holographic screens to create 3-D images, transforming data into visual messages and music, offering a sensory exploration of perception.

6. Row by Tundra, Célestins Theatre, Fête des Lumières

Vendel & de Wolf: Sign

This Dutch creation simulates a blazing fire on the Place de la République’s water, made from aluminium-covered bamboo. It serves as a dual symbol of transformation and a stark reminder of climate change’s impacts.

Atelier Sisu: Evanescent
Inspired by the fragility of existence and the global pause during the Covid-19 pandemic, this installation features megastructures of bubbles that glisten in the sunlight and glow with vibrant colours at night, symbolizing the fleeting nature of life.

7. Evanescent by Atelier Sisu, Place Bellecour, Fête des Lumières

Parallel Events at Fête des Lumières 2023

In addition to the main installations, the Fête des Lumières 2023 also features a range of engaging parallel events:

Lyon Museum of Fine Arts: Light in Painting
(7 to 10 December)

An important opportunity to discover how masters like Veronese, Tintoretto, Rubens, Gauguin, Monet, and Soulages have used light in their paintings. This guided tour, happening daily at 3 p.m. (2 p.m. on Sunday), offers a unique journey from the Renaissance to contemporary art, exploring the evolution of light in painting. Note: the museum closes at 4 p.m. during the festival.

Lighting Up the 7th Arrondissement Town Hall
(Thursday, 7 December)

The event includes lighting up the façade with candles, luminary decorations by the Jean Macé Neighbourhood Council, a brass band performance, and mulled wine for sale, fostering a warm, communal atmosphere.
Inspired by the fragility of existence and the global pause during the Covid-19 pandemic, this installation features megastructures of bubbles that glisten in the sunlight and glow with vibrant colours at night, symbolizing the fleeting nature of life.

Philippe Katerine Signing Session
(Thursday, 7 December)
Philippe Katerine, known for his “Rose Family” installation in Parc de la Tête d’Or, will be signing his work at macLYON from 12.30 pm to 2 pm. It’s a unique opportunity to meet the artist and explore his mignonisme books available at the Blitz boutique.

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