Wear Business Wear Business Issue 1 | Page 20

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