Japan shines bright at Lyon’s festival of lights

What is billed as France’s biggest and best festival of lights begins in earnest tonight. “La fete des lumieres” takes place each year in the south-eastern city of Lyon and this edition, the 13th, promises to be bigger than ever.

To honour the victims of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan is the special guest of honour with installations and light art from the country taking pride of place

Lyon’s Mayor Gerard Colomb said: “I think it’s quite special to have such an event at this time of year, in the darkness of winter. This festival is quite symbolic, it says even though we’re in a crisis, hope springs eternal.”

An estimated three million people attended the four night festival last year and even more are expected this time round.

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