The much-loved light festival Lumiere is to make a dazzling return to Durham next year, it has been announced, with a four-night run that will transform city streets and buildings.
Organisers of the biennial festival announced its return dates this Tuesday, marking a year to the date of 2023's event. Lumiere will run next year from November 16-19.
They say the free festival, created by leading arts producer Artichoke and commissioned by Durham County Council, will showcase a new programme of illuminations and installations by a range of artists, including international commissions, who have "something to say about our world". As the countdown starts to the big event, fund-raising for it is already underway and there are to be plenty of opportunities for local businesses to become involved.
Read more: Lumiere's 2021 transformation of Durham
This time, in recognition of the current difficult times, Lumiere will be joining forces with County Durham Community Foundation to work on ways to channel investment back into the local community. Donations made to Lumiere by individuals, new partners and local businesses will be doubled by the Foundation, 'unlocking' additional funds for the festival's learning and participation programmes as well as for the Foundation’s Poverty Hurts Appeal.
This appeal provides year-round support to County Durham families, helping the likes of older people at risk in cold homes; younger people struggling with mental health and employment problems and children lacking warm winter coats.
Helen Marriage, artistic director of Artichoke, said of its 2023 return: "It would be tempting to think Lumiere is not a priority in our current difficult economic circumstances but Lumiere has never just been about stunning spectacle and pretty lights. Over the years, Lumiere has consistently brought tangible benefits to the local community, building the local economy, investing in local businesses, training local kids and putting Durham firmly on an international culture map."
She said that in view of current challenges, it is all the more important that families have events to look forward to without having to worry about what it will cost to attend and that it is thanks to investment from "amazing partnerships" built up over the years with the council, local businesses and Arts Council England that the city festival is free.
She added: “As part of County Durham Community Foundation’s match-funding programme of the Poverty Hurts Appeal, donations to Lumiere will both help local people and shine a light in these dark times.”
Since the first festival in 2009, Lumiere has attracted more than one million visitors and boosted the local economy. Its established learning and participation programme and volunteering opportunities are said to have benefitted more than 12,000 people including schoolchildren over that time. And next year's event, the 8th, is set to create new opportunities for the community to take part in and develop skills - while also bringing its trademark sense of magic and fun to dark nights.
Artichoke is also signed up to Vision: 2025, a network of outdoor events aiming to take climate action towards net zero, and it will be assessing Lumiere's carbon impact in keeping with its environmental focus. Council leader Amanda Hopgood stressed the importance of this and of ensuring the festival is as sustainable as possible.
She said the event demonstrates the council's commitment to championing culture following its campaign for UK City of Culture 2025 and added: “The chance to come together with friends, family and neighbours is more important than ever in these challenging times."
Michelle Cooper, chief executive of County Durham Community Foundation, added: “To support Lumiere is to support one of County Durham’s great treasures - an event that brings art, culture and magic to everyone, while enriching local lives throughout the year. To be able to offer businesses match-funding once again, and the chance to support our Poverty Hurts Appeal, is a win-win situation that can only strengthen our communities as they face increasing hardship.”
Read Next
