On December 21, the MJC de Puivert brought its traditional Festival of Light to Puivert and the surrounding area. It was an exceptional party!
The church was prepared to shine like a jewel. The participants (between 150 and 200 people) entered the Puivert church, whose nave was illuminated in warm colors. The vault above the altar was particularly beautiful! It took 2 super lighting technicians to make it happen!
At the end of the Nave, visitors were invited to enter a labyrinth drawn on the floor and lit by candles. As they walked through the labyrinth, they could go inward and observe their feelings and wishes, or, on the contrary, the things they wanted to get rid of. At the exit, a table was set up with small pieces of paper for everyone to write down what they had experienced in the labyrinth. Afterwards, everyone was encouraged to hang their paper on the wishing tree at the entrance to the church. All the while, soft, deep music was played, and at intervals, 3 choristers invited the audience to vocalize in a form of communion through song.
After distributing lanterns to young and old alike, a musician appeared with his flutes, and everyone slowly exited the church. On the forecourt, this musician-storyteller (Maxence, well known in the region!) – after telling us what the return of Light and the winter solstice represent in our world – led everyone, to the sound of the flutes, down to the lake.
This human garland of light with its lanterns was accompanied by a large Dragon of Light, carried by an adult and 4 children. 2 carriers took the wishing tree to the lake. At the lake, a huge fire was lit and the tree, with all its wishes, went up in flames with great sprays of sparks.
We then released a few Chinese lanterns, but the wind limited our ability to do so. And it all ended in song by the fire with a few slices of toast, soup, mulled wine, cakes and everything else needed to warm the bellies after warming the hearts. An unforgettable Festival of Light!