SHINING BRIGHT

North Star

Famous landmarks in the North East of England received a touch of Durham Lumiere magic, as the light festival extended its reach beyond Durham city centre for the first time

Durham Lumiere transformed Durham and historical landmarks across the North East of England when it returned to the city (November 18-21).

The light festival has been illuminating historical buildings and landmarks since 2009; this year, the event attracted six major new light installations, which dazzled the city and the surrounding countryside and coast. It was the first time that the festival has extended its reach across County Durham as well as the city centre.

Produced by Artichoke and commissioned by Durham County Council with additional support from Arts Council England, the festival has attracted more than a million visitors to the city since its inception. Despite event costs rising by 46 per cent – due to changes necessitated by COVID-19 and issues relating to Brexit – the festival remained free to attend, with more than 150,000 people registering to attend the festival over four days.

The six large installations – A Telling of Light, Solitude, Hymn to the Big Wheel, Castle of Light, Apollo 50, and With/Against – were lit up on November 21, alongside 31 other artworks across Durham city centre.

Unusual Rigging, IPS and QED provided kit and services to the light festival, which comprised eight riggers, 13 projectionists, 28 crew, 11 cabins, six welfare units, 1,382 pieces of fencing, 11,000 litres of eco-diesel, 10,000 metres of cabling, 200 metres of cable ramp, 280 radios, and 400 volunteers.

Helen Marriage, CEO of Artichoke and artistic director of Durham Lumiere, said: “The numbers alone show the incredible scale and reach of this festival. There is really nothing else like it. From the hundreds of local participants and volunteers to the artists, technicians, riggers, projectionists, security, and crew, Lumiere is a massive operation. We have gone through so much uncertainty in the last 18 months, I can’t tell you how delighted we are to have been able to produce Lumiere in Durham once again.”

A TELLING OF LIGHT

We have gone through so much uncertainty in the last 18 months, I can’t tell you how delighted we are to have been able to produce Lumiere in Durham once again.