Lyon lights up names of Paris victims in sombre tribute

A light installation pays tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks in Lyon. PHOTO: REUTERS

LYON (AFP) - The French city of Lyon paid tribute Tuesday to the 130 victims of last month's Paris attacks, projecting their names in huge letters on the facades of buildings lining the Saone River.

The commemoration took the place of the Festival of Lights, normally a four-day event that draws around three million people to the eastern city, which was cancelled this year over security concerns following the Nov 13 attacks in the capital.

Lyon's mayor Gerard Collomb called for Tuesday's tribute instead, while city residents still placed lighted candles in their windows and in public squares as tradition dictates.

And a light installation that had been planned for the cancelled festival was retained for Tuesday's event, a creation titled "Regards" (Looks) by Daniel Knipper.

The installation featured 80 penetrating glances and gazes depicted in works of art by masters such as Matisse and Botticelli, projected against a basilica and the facades of the quayside buildings.

The names of the Paris victims - their first names, lit up in a giant hand-written scrawl - then followed as thousands looked on.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.