Trip the light
FANTASTIC!
Light show - Durham Cathedral took
a starring role in Lumiere 2019.
Lumiere Durham
marked its tenth
anniversary and its
one millionth visitor
as the latest event
once again lit up
the city.
20
F
irst estimates suggest more than
150,000 visited Lumiere 2019 when it
was held across Durham in November,
despite horrendous weather conditions
across the four days and nights.
Lumiere is produced by Artichoke,
commissioned by Durham County Council,
with additional support from Arts Council
England and a large number of sponsors and
supporters from this region.
The 2019 and 2021 festivals will cost
around £2m each to deliver. Durham
County Council is investing a total of
£1.8m across the two, Arts Council England
is investing £1m and Artichoke, which
produces the festival, is fundraising for the
remainder £1.2m.
The five previous Lumiere festivals have
attracted over 840,000 visitors and brought
in a joint economic benefit of £28.7m.
Terry Collins, chief executive of Durham
County Council, said: “Since its launch
in 2009, Lumiere has grown into the UK’s
largest light festival, attracting more than
one million people across the six events and
raising the profile of County Durham on a
national and international stage.
“The benefits Lumiere has brought to
County Durham cannot be underestimated.
We are awaiting figures for 2019, but the
previous five festivals delivered a joint
economic boost in excess of £28m.
“As well as the immediate economic
impact the festival brings, an investment
in culture is an investment in the future.
Art and culture changes perceptions of the
county and help to create a vibrant place
where businesses wish to locate and people