'A moment of conviviality': Lyon shines brightly in centuries old light festival

Lyon's annual Fête des Lumières festival includes illuminating works from artists placed throughout pedestrianised areas of the city.

Transcript

00:00 With sparkling illuminations and musical notes echoing across the city, Lyon's annual light

00:07 festival wowed residents and tourists alike.

00:11 Its 32 light displays sent messages about protecting the environment, human connection,

00:16 and the future of artificial intelligence.

00:18 It's a good idea to use AI and make it beautiful, and show that it's cool, that it can be done,

00:24 and that the music is great, because it's Røde.

00:26 Last year, they had already used AI to make the paintings of the Musée des Beaux-Arts,

00:33 which is just behind, sing.

00:35 And this year, they started again, but with the legacy of the Light Brothers, and that's very beautiful.

00:39 Spectators watched the show huddled in the cold and chatted with friends near stands

00:46 selling snacks and wild wine.

00:48 It's always a very friendly moment, with family, with friends.

00:51 It's always new and super cool.

00:53 It's the first time I've come to attend this festival, and we liked it.

00:58 Artistically speaking, it's very, very beautiful.

01:01 And the message is also interesting.

01:04 The festival is also extending beyond the city center to connect with more residents.

01:19 For us, it's very important that people can come to the city center to see the Light Brothers,

01:23 but also to go to the people, to the residents.

01:26 It's a show that we made with the residents.

01:29 It's a show that has a great story, it's a journey, super optimistic, human,

01:35 through different paintings that we thought about with the residents.

01:38 One of this year's works was even developed by a well-known French singer,

01:43 who wants to bring people closer with his family of pink figurines.

01:48 They are sculpted beings that can't communicate.

01:54 And the fact that there are people who see them,

01:57 that is, there will apparently be a lot of people who will observe these characters.

02:02 They also play with light, with music.

02:06 And it's the idea that with all these elements, they can finally communicate.

02:15 Thank you very much.

02:16 This year's works included lights projected onto trees, an enchanted fountain and 3,500 mirrors.

02:27 Artists played with themes such as connection, nature and dreams.

02:31 And spectators in awe responded with applause.

02:34 This is Lauren Chadwick reporting for Euronews.

02:37 [MUSIC PLAYING]