SHARJAH: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the Sharjah Light Festival, organized by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), has been illuminating architectural monuments and landmarks all over the emirate using a combination of the latest lighting designs and techniques by leading artists in the field.
This year, the annual event employs some of the latest innovative technologies such as laser colors, video mapping projections, laser mapping with music and LED lighting displays, among others in 17 different locations across the emirate. The event further accentuates Sharjah’s rich historical landmarks and heritage for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Among the key locations included in the festival are the Palm Oasis which was transformed into a ‘Fireflies Forest’, a magical place inviting families and friends to wander and wonder among 330 palm trees installed with tiny beaming LED lights. This technical process has recreated the space into a delightful atmosphere of billions of fireflies.
The Khalid Lagoon showcases two shows, including the ‘Skylines’, a lighting masterpiece by artist Ilotopie, which offers a poetic tribute to Sharjah’s cultural diversity through a spread of laser colors all over the lagoon, rising from each side and creating a bridge of radiant patterns of light over the water, as if uniting and blending the variety of cultures under one sky. The other show, themed ‘Aquatic Parade’, is a 200-meter long parade featuring a fairy tale story on the water of an aquatic muse in a play of dance and glowing silhouettes. It is a captivating show of mythic aquatic heroes and heroines, embellished with images of fire and petals swirling from the sky. Following the live shows, Sharjah’s lagoon will welcome a unique celebration, reflecting all over the city from watery waves to clear sky reflecting a “Fireworks Show Extravaganza” over the Lagoon.
Meanwhile, artist Raphaelle Martinez has created a dazzling video mapping projection around the Masjid Al Noor’s landscape and surrounding water environment, as tribute to Sharjah as the Culture Capital of the Arab World. Themed a ‘Lagoon’s Reflection’, it is a stunning vision that represents a gateway to the city.
Lighting artists Joan Molin and Roger Amat use video mapping with music to create the ‘Route of Cultures’ for the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The show offers a trip back in time when trade caravans began – from Ancient China to India and Old Mesopotamia – which brought with them the richness of various cultures and led them to the Arabian Gulf.
The ‘A Bridge of Light’ by Alexey Fedorov is a laser show that employs laser mapping to bring to life the beauty of Al Qasba architecture, unveiling the details of the building like delicate, intricate lacework. Emerging from the internal façade, the laser lights reach from either end of Al Qasba, meeting in the middle and creating a bridge of light.
The Sharjah Light Festival will continue to display enthralling light shows until February 16, 2018 in various locations in the emirate highlighting its leading position as a regional and international cultural destination. Other locations in this year’s edition include Sharjah University City Campus Avenue; Sharjah Police Academy; University City Hall; American University of Sharjah; Sharjah Book Authority; Sharjah City Municipality; Directorate of Human Resources – Kalba, Municipality and Municipal Council – Al Hamriyah & Kalba; Municipality and Municipal Council – Khorfakkan, Directorate of Town Planning Department – Khorfakkan; and Masjid Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmad Al Qasimi – Dibba Al-Hisn.
Daily performances will be held from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm on weekdays and from 6:00 pm to 12:00 midnight on weekends, 6 – 16 February. For more information, please visit www.slf.ae. News Desk
