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City Guide - Lyons - Culture | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Culture Culture Culture benefits from one of the largest chunks of the city's budget - and it shows. The presence in Lyons of prestigious cultural institutions, such as the National Opera, the National Orchestra, the Lumière Institute, La Maison de la Danse and the Célestins Theatre, contribute to the city's international reputation. The Conservatoire national supérieur and the Conservatoire national de région are among the most important centres of musical learning in France outside Paris. Tickets for theatrical or musical events can be bought from the booking offices directly, or from FNAC, 85 rue de la République (tel: (04) 72 40 49 49). Local newspapers and magazines, such as the weekly Lyon Poche or Lyon Capitale, carry information about cultural events taking place in the city. Music: The National Opera, 1 place de la Comédie (tel: (04) 72 00 45 45; fax: (04) 72 00 45 01; web site: www.opera-lyon.org; e-mail: rpublic@Opera-Lyon.org), houses several institutions. Among them is the Opera Orchestra, which started from scratch in 1983 with young musicians and experienced conductors. Its musical director since 1998 has been Luis Langrée and it alternates repertory works and new compositions. The Lyons National Orchestra has its permanent residence in the Auditorium, 149 rue Garibaldi (tel: (04) 78 95 95 95; fax: (04) 78 60 13 08). A symphony orchestra with 102 musicians under the direction of Emmanuel Krivine, it has acquired an international reputation throughout the world. The Palais des Congrès, 50 quai Charles de Gaulle (tel: 504) 72 67 01 88), hosts famous French artist, such as Serge Lama or Enrico Macias, and many classical concerts. Theatre: From classical to contemporary, all styles are represented in Lyons. The Célestins Theatre, 4 rue Charles Dullin (tel: (04) 72 77 40 00; fax: (04) 72 77 40 06; e-mail: ), is the oldest theatre in Lyons and it has had two centuries of continuous dramatic activity. It welcomes Parisian shows as well as regional companies, with productions ranging from classical theatre to music hall. Le Théâtre des Jeunes Années, founded in 1968 by Maurice Yendt, at 23 rue de Bourgogne (tel: (04) 72 53 15 15; fax: (04) 72 53 15 19), is a permanent venue for contemporary theatre, and also offers special children's productions. Lyons was also the birthplace of the theatrical puppet figure known as Guignol, which was created in 1808 by Laurent Mourguet. This tradition is still alive today with the Compagnie Laurent Cappezone, 2 rue Louis Carrand (tel: (04) 78 28 92 57). There are many theatres offering young people an opportunity to be noticed, such as Les Maronniers, 7 rue des Maronniers (tel: (04) 78 37 98 17), L'Espace 44, 44 rue Burdean (tel: (04) 78 39 79 71), Les Clochards Célestes, 7 rue Alsace Lorraine (tel: (04) 78 28 35 19), Le Carré 30, 12 rue Pizay (tel: (04) 78 39 74 61), Le Théâtre de la Crois-Rousse, 3 place Johannès Ambre (tel: (04) 72 07 49 49; web site: ). Dance: The Lyons Opera House Ballet Company, place de la Comédie (tel: (04) 72 00 45 45), offers a contemporary repertoire of international standing. The Maison de la Danse, 8 avenue Jean Mermoz (tel: (04) 72 78 18 18; fax; (04) 78 75 55 66; e-mail: ; web site: ) was created in 1980. The company, directed by Guy Darmet, is completely devoted to choreographic art, with an emphasis on new creations, and welcomes French and foreign companies. Film: In 1895, in Lyons, the Lumière brothers invented cinematography and shot the first ever film. The Lumière Institute offers cinema screenings every day for FFr29 (tel: (04) 78 78 18 95; fax: (04) 78 01 36 62). There are many other cinemas in Lyons offering a wide choice of movies, including: CNP Bellecour, 12 rue de la Barre (tel: (04) 78 42 33 22); UGC Ciné-cité, 60 quai Charles de Gaulle (tel: (04) 72 69 70 70); and Pathé, 79 rue de la République (tel: (04) 78 37 64 64). There are many French movies that have been shot in Lyons, for example Lucie Aubrac (1996) by Claude Berry, Louis Enfant-Roi (1991) by Roger Planchon and Les Voleurs (1995) by André Téchiné. Cultural events: The Pennons de Lyon (Lyons Medieval Pageant; tel: (04) 78 92 86 33)) takes place every year in the second week of June. The Pennons were the people who set and collected royal taxes from the fourteenth century until the French Revolution, and became important local dignitaries as Lyons grew. Today, they are celebrated with street festivities in medieval costumes. Les Nuits de Fourvière takes place from June to August and is one of the highlights of the summer events in Lyons. It offers a prestigious selection of musical and theatrical performances in the Gallo-Roman amphitheatre of Fourvière. Since 1991, Lyons has hosted the prestigious National Biennial Festivals of Dance and Contemporary Art. In 2000, the Biennial will be held between July and September. Hundreds of dancers, musicians and singers will present creations around the theme of the adventures of the 'silk road'. More than 100 artists from all over the world will come to present their creations in the Halle Tony Garnier. The Festival of Lights is one of Lyons' most popular and traditional events. The 150-year-old tradition takes place on 8 December every year and is a religious celebration that honours the statue of the Virgin Mary on Fourvière Hill. The people of Lyons put lanterns on their balconies and their windowsills and then congregate on the streets to enjoy the spectacle. A range of different performances are also organised at the same time throughout parts of Lyons. Literary Notes During the Renaissance, the Lyons publishing industry was the most important one in France. Rabelais (1483?-1553) was a doctor at Hôtel Dieu in Lyons before writing Gargantua and Pantagruel. The poet Louise Labé (1526-1566) was born in Lyons and used to hold a literary salon in the city. The year 2000 sees the centenary of the birth of one of Lyons' most famous authors, Antoine de St-Exupéry, best known as the author of Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince, 1943). St-Exupéry wrote many other well-known books, such as Courier du Sud (1927), Terres des Hommes (1939) and Vol de Nuit (1931), before disappearing in his aircraft over the Mediterranean Sea in 1944. To celebrate the centenary of his birth, Lyons' airport has changed its name from Lyons-Satolas to Lyons-St-Exupéry. The Comité St-Exupéry, 9 quai Tilsitt (tel: (04) 78 92 40 50; fax: (04) 78 92 95 15), is co-ordinating the centenary celebrations. |
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