Tag: Festivals

Fête des Lumières – Cont’d

The best show of festival 2013 was at Place des Terreaux, where lights were projected on two historical buildings around the square – namely Lyon City Hall

And Saint-Pierre Palace, a former Benedictine convent turned Museum of Fine Arts.

The shadow or Adam by Rodin (On the left)

The award-winning show transformed the square into a remote planet where the “Prince of Lights” was the only inhabitant, who plunged into darkness by swallowing the light. The facades of the buildings swung and swayed as he explored exotic regions on the back of a giant insect, amidst sprawling plants, and under the starry sky. Continue reading “Fête des Lumières – Cont’d” →

Fête des Lumières – Lyon, France

At night fall, the festival begins.

According to the program, there are 78 performances, displays and light shows around the city of Lyon. It is daunting, if not impossible, to see all in one night. So we decided to focus on one area and see as much as possible in that area.

Since we were already in Vieux Lyon, we started the walk from there…

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Encounters @Saint-Jean Cathedral As you arrive to the square lighted at 360° from a mysterious monolith, you will enter into a flood of light and discover the architecture of the cathedral and the buildings around the square in a new way. Variations in colors, intensity and patterns trace pathways across the city to the accompaniment of interweaving musical compositions.

Then we moved across the Bonaparte bridge, following the opening theme of Lawrence of Arabia (see video recording below), to this grand symphony show on the banks of the Saône river. Continue reading “Fête des Lumières – Lyon, France” →

International Snow Sculpture Contest, Sapporo, Japan

Twelve teams participated in this year’s contest. The teams are:

Australia – FrogozillaIMG_4215
Australia is the home to many deadly creatures. Luckily, the rare endangered Australian “Green and Golden Bell Frog” is not one of them. Humans have overtaken nature, clearing habitats, developing highways and cities; this sculpture is representing Frog`s Revenge! Fortunately, they only grow to 9 cm and will not eat you.

Finland – The Education of Life Continue reading “International Snow Sculpture Contest, Sapporo, Japan” →

Sapporo Snow Festival – Susukino Ice World

Susukino (すすきの) is a red-light district in Sapporo, teeming with restaurants, bars, and hotels. During the Sapporo Snow Festival, Susukino turns into an ice world where ice sculptures line up along the street.

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Some of this year’s ice sculptures are: Continue reading “Sapporo Snow Festival – Susukino Ice World” →

Sapporo Snow Festival – Odori Park

The Sapporo Snow Festival (さっぽろ雪まつり Sapporo Yuki-matsuri?) is a festival held annually in Sapporo, Japan, over seven days in February. This year, the festival dates from 5th to 11th of February.

Odori Park, stretching east to west over 1.5km through the heart of downtown Sapporo, is one of the primary festival sites. It contains several large snow sculptures, hundreds of small sculptures made by organizations and citizens of Sapporo, a skating rink, a snowboard jumping platform, and a sliding area for children.DSC_3525

Continue reading “Sapporo Snow Festival – Odori Park” →