a worldwide tour of volunteers

PostED ON OCTOBER 15

From South Africa to Afghanistan, via Syria and Eritrea, the festival's volunteers from all over the world were honoured this Thursday morning at the Village Lumière.

Every year, in partnership with the Prefecture of the Rhône and the Region, the Lumière festival invites refugees to join the team of volunteers as part of its Integration Fortnight. The objective? To promote the professional integration of students, those who have left school, and refugees. Carried out in collaboration with seven associations of the region, the programme has enabled nearly one hundred people to become volunteers at the festival this year. Among them, Wendy, 37 years old, originally from South Africa: "I have done tasks to welcome the public at the Halle Tony-Garnier and to several cinemas. I like receiving people from the public, it's interesting and it also helps me improve my French!” A successful gamble for the young woman who takes French lessons with the Lyon-based association Langues Comme Une, a partner in the initiative.

© Jean-Luc Mège

Michael has been a volunteer for three years thanks to the Forum Réfugiés association and never tires of "the exceptional atmosphere of the festival". The Adéquat group, a key partner, is organising a job dating event for volunteers on November 30 at the Tony Parker Adéquat Academy. "There will be personalised workshops and job openings in a number of sectors such as construction and logistics", explains Sébastien Guiragossian, HR Director of the Adéquat group. The invitation has been sent!

Laura Lépine