by Manon, age 9 from Lyon, France, asks Santa which movie to watch, the Rhone and Saone rivers, and the Fete des Lumieres festival.
Dear Santa, my name is Manon, and I am nine years old. I live in Lyon, France, where my grand-mere says our whole city glows with candles in every window for one special festival in December.
Dear Manon, a city glowing with candlelit windows is one of the most beautiful sights on my entire European route, your grand-mere picked a truly radiant hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Which Santa Claus movie should I watch? My frere and I cannot agree on one this year.
There are so many good ones out there, Manon, I would suggest asking a grown-up to help you and your frere pick something that suits you both, perhaps taking turns choosing each year. Compromise is its own kind of Christmas magic.
My grand-mere says Lyon sits right where two rivers meet, the Rhone and the Saone. Is that true?
It is true, Manon, the Rhone and Saone rivers join right at the edge of your city, a beautiful meeting point I always follow to find my way to your rooftop.
My grand-mere says every December, our whole city lights candles in the windows for a festival called the Fete des Lumieres. Is that true?
It is true, Manon, the Fete des Lumieres fills Lyon with glowing candles and elaborate light displays every December, a genuinely beautiful tradition dating back many generations. That kind of citywide glow, everyone contributing their own small light, is really the spirit of the whole season.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Manon Lefevre
Lyon, France
P.S. Can you help my frere and me agree on a movie this year?
I will offer gentle mediation, Manon, sibling movie negotiations are a delicate art.
