11th December, Sunday, was the last day of Fete des Lumieres, so it was the team’s last chance to explore the other exhibits around town!

After a quick stop at our own sculpture, we set out to roam around the city, and we were greatly impressed by what else we saw.

We even trudged all the way up to Fourviere, where the Notre Dame cathedral is, and were rewarded with a beautiful view.

12th December, Monday, was a day spent packing up. But it was also a time for us to celebrate with our new found friends – and what better way to do it in the winter, than with steamboat!

A good time was had by all over yummy food and wine, conversations, and reminiscing all that had taken place over the past few days.

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All too soon, our time in Lyon has come to an end, but we can’t end it without thanking the many people who have made our time there so fruitful and enjoyable!

The Fete des Lumieres Team 

For all that they have done to make our showcase go smoothly. You guys have worked so hard over the many months, and the successful Fete is the fruit of your labour! We cannot fully express how grateful we are to have your support.

Thanks to Monsieur Jean-Francois, Gilles, Caroline (your smiles always make our day!), Celine, Alexis (for so graciously trying to accommodate our requests!), and the rest of the team.

Special thanks go out to our liaison, Didier, who quickly became a part of us in those few days, working alongside us, ‘makaning’ with us, and learning Singlish (‘Wah lau eh!’), hehe. Merci beaucoup for everything, Didier! We look forward to hosting you in Singapore!

Rachel & Patrick

For their time and presence, and for welcoming us to Lyon with open arms! We are so thankful to have met fellow Singaporeans in Lyon, and for making us feel right at home.

Thanks to Rachel, who came to join us every day at the workshop, and for being our translator! (Patrick – we understand Don’t work so hard ah!)

Wing, Wenshao, Chin Tee

Our Malaysian friends and honorary Singaporeans for those few days! Wing, especially, was a big help at the workshop on nights when we worked late, lightening the atmosphere with her cheerful nature. Thank you to the guys too for being great translators!

Christophe, Sophie, and the students from Premier Film School

For being with us at our workshop; working, creating, dancing alongside us for two days! We are ever so impressed with your enthusiasm and hard work. Thank you to those who also came to say hi to us at the sculpture during the Fete! We look forward to more collaborations in the future!

 

Munwar and the staff at Citadines Lyon Part-Dieu

For making us feel right at home, for going out of the way to help us out, and most importantly, for being a friend to us. Thank you for everything! We hope you guys keep up the great work!

Katrina, Trudy and friends

For helping us out for a short time on Saturday! We hope you had fun

We’d also like to thank the many people from Lyon and beyond who came to appreciate our sculpture, take photos (with it and of it), take an interest in what we’ve done, strike up conversations with us, share your thoughts with us, and who said the kindest things. We are humbled and honoured to have been able to share this with all of you.

Of course, there are the people/organisations at home who helped make this trip happen. For believing in us and for supporting us wholeheartedly, we sincerely thank Veolia Environmental Services, National Arts Council (NAC), Tote Board, *SCAPE, Singapore International Foundation (SIF), Timberland (for their awesome apparel!), Alpha Biofuels,Gardenasia, Sun Yu-li, and ARUP.

And, thank you – yes, YOU – for keeping up with our updates, for sending in your photos and messages of support and well-wishes to the team and the people of Lyon, for reblogging and liking our posts… but most importantly, for believing in what we do.

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A personal set of thanks goes out to the team, for the encouragement, camaraderie, good times and good food… and for looking out for me when I get, ahem, distracted I am inspired by each individual in a special way, and I am humbled to have been able to contribute a small part of myself in this project. Thank you for having me!

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It was a fruitful 10 days in Lyon, indeed, and we greatly treasure the people we’ve met, the connections created, and the memories made. What has never ceased to amaze us are the awe-filled gazes of visitors at ‘In Celebration’, the conversations we’ve had, and the realisation that people’s minds and perspectives were broadened during their time with us, no matter how short or long.

We believe that in these few days in Lyon, we have done what we have set out to do – and that is, to create positive social behavioural change, no matter how big an impact, or small a ripple.

This is only just the beginning!

(and this has been,)

 

-Michelle

for The Living! Project

in Lyon, France and Singapore, Singapore