Lumiere 2013 : Durham

IMG_1252Last night I had a fantastical journey around the city of Durham.  It isn’t every day that you find an elephant trumpeting and snorting in a city centre, but this was definitely one of the highlights of Lumiere 2013.  Where do people find the imagination and “know-how” to produce light installations like this?  I have no idea, but I thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle.

From the other side of the bridge, he shakes his tusks at me!

From the other side of the bridge, he shakes his tusks at me!

I thought I was going to be in for a disappointment, because the Park and Ride was already full when I arrived in Durham at 16.30.  No right-minded person attempts to drive beyond the outskirts when an event such as this is taking place.   But not being in your right mind sometimes pays off, and with a bit of frustrating driving and a hike at the end, a suitable slot was found for the car.

Was it worth it?  Of course!  The sight of the Lindisfarne Gospels marching across the face of the Cathedral to rousing music can compensate for a lot!  It was the only feature to be repeated from Lumiere 2011, and in a year when the Gospels had been on a summertime visit to the city, they were wholely appropriate.

My favourite part?  I could have loitered in the Cathedral cloisters endlessly (in fact, I did, and lost my husband for a little while).  Did you ever see anything more magical?

The frocks shimmered in the dark and then began to change colour

The frocks shimmered in the dark and then began to change colour

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I was spellbound!  The setting was perfect, the colours enchanting!  The night was bitter but for a while I didn’t notice.  Overall I think that Lumiere 2011 was more spectacular, but as I ended that occasion with a black eye, I was more than happy to celebrate light with Durham in 2013.

The event runs biennially and the organisers seem to have learnt since 2011, when the crush around the Cathedral was sometimes frightening.  This year there is restricted access to the city centre between 16.30 and 19.30, when you need a ticket to get beyond the barriers.  There is plenty to see elsewhere and maps are provided online, or handed out at the event itself.  (having printed one off, I forgot to take it, but the programme guides were readily available)  I suspect they will run out over the four day festival.

Some brisk walking took place around the city, passing excited groups and families with smiling faces.  There are lots of nice places to eat in Durham and after a meal in Bistro Italiano, it was time to enter the city centre for the finale.

I'll leave you dancing!

I’ll leave you dancing! (courtesy of Michael- his shot is better than mine)

Do visit if you can.  I’ve included links to the programme and the interactive site is full of suggestions for a good time.  It won’t be repeated till 2015!

101 comments

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  6. What a breathtaking show, Jo! The elephant is really amazing, and those dresses are beyond gorgeous. Lucky you to be there to witness this spectacle. I’m sure you hardly noticed the cold. 🙂

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    1. It really was brilliant, Ad. I’ve been wanting to spend some time on the Lumiere website to see all the photos and interactive stuff but I haven’t made it yet. The show ends tonight and I’ve made a couple of new online friends through the event so I’m off now to explore. 🙂

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  7. Pingback: Lumiere: Durham’s festival of lights | 500adventures

    1. I focussed on where I was walking as well as the camera, Gem. I learn very slowly and painfully (I’ve fallen over 2 different bollards and down a flight of steps in the last few weeks- obviously not an osteoporosis sufferer or I’d be in bits! There’s always a bright side?) 🙂

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      1. They did look amazing…my sort of thing.Did you see last year,there was something on in Liverpool,there were these giant marionettes depicting a girl and her father …they were absolutely enormous ,it took dozens of people to work them.I only found them by chance,look on’ you tube ‘if you haven’t seen them before..

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    1. It’s basically a free event, Rich, and we didn’t get tickets but they were a nominal price- about £4.50 I think, but they sold out quickly. In 2011 crowds and safety issues were a problem so they initiated ticketing to give oaps and families chance to see it more easily. You didn’t really need them unless you had a restriction on your time. We were there from 5 or so till after 10 (with an hour in the restaurant) and still didn’t see it all because it’s quite spread out. Staying overnight in Durham would be a good option. Mark in calendar for 2015 🙂

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  19. sembra di entrare nel mondo fantastico dei sogni, dove tutto può essere possibile, anche indossare uno di quei bellissimi abiti che cambia colore e volare in alto a salutare le stelle, veramente incantevole, grazie Giovanna per avermelo fatto conoscere!

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