Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Joining the Festivities, by Sister Elaine Hollis, SSJ

Le Roi de l'Oiseau


We were privileged to be in LePuy for the Renaissance festival named for the "king of the bird." Throughout the city one could see people dressed up in medieval garb and acting out the history of the country as everything from king to peasant. So many people came from all over the country and world that it was hard to find enough rooms for the participants in this workshop and a few stayed in the next town.


One of the areas where the participants camped out


One of the exquisite costumes


One of the horses and rider

On Sunday we went into the old city of LePuy to watch the parade that ended the celebration. The king, who was the best archer around, had been crowned. We had a wonderful place to stand and actually made the local paper. Various groups walked by playing period instruments and carrying everything from an anvil to swords and spears.


Yours truly in the white jacket in an article in the local newspaper

What was remarkable was the variety of people who participated. There were people of all ages, colors, and ethnicity. Everyone seemed to get into the spirit of the event, cheering when the jugglers went by and clapping for the various musical groups.

After the parade we stayed in town to get something to eat and then when it was dark a small group of us went to see the "lumières." On four buildings and a mountain they project light shows that are absolutely incredible. We saw them at Le Théâtre, L'Hôtel de Ville, La Cathédral Norte-Dame, and Le rocher Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe.


The theatre lit up

Liberty, equality and fraternity lighting up the hotel


The Cathedral lit up


The mountain lit up showing the volcano that formed it

There is just so much to see here that I am glad I've had this time to see both the old and the new in LePuy with such a marvelous group of Sisters.

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