About
The Jerusalem Festival of Light 2010
Light has its own presence. Beyond its practical functions, such as creating security, illuminating obstacles and marking passageways, light also enables the observer to perceive the city in a different manner. Through light one can rediscover the city’s lines, geography and strength. The preoccupation with light as raw material has developed rapidly over the past twenty years. This process has opened artists to a new world that integrates beauty, concept, abstraction and technology and includes a wide spread of possibilities and usages. A large number of artists and groups of artists are discovering the unique quality of the integration of light as a creative element and not just a means to lighting works of art.
The endeavors of innovative artists, the constant progression of technology
and the change in perception of light’s role in urban landscape,
have led to the development of festivals that deal with decorative lighting
and the research of the influence of light on urban space throughout the world.
The Festival of Light in the Old City will provide through the use of light,
a dramatic and artistic dimension to the Old City’s nights. From the illumination
of architecture to light statues, the festival will be a public and family oriented
celebration that artists from different fields will partake in.
Last June we celebrated in the Old City of Jerusalem “The Light of Jerusalem 2009”.
This was the first light festival in Jerusalem that emphasized the role of light in an
urban setting. The Festival of Light is an initiative of the Jerusalem Development Authority
and Ariel Municipal Company.
Artists from Israel and abroad took part in the festival and used light in order to create
statues, installations, performances and artwork. During the week, the festival brought
200,000 visitors to the Old City and succeeded in introducing a new trend in Jerusalem
nightlife. The festival was targeted towards a wide range of the population. The festival
included both displays of museum artwork and activities suitable to all audiences.
The second Festival of Light will take place from June 9th- June 16th, 2010 in the
Old City of Jerusalem. This year the festival has grown and will include five artists
from abroad who will display the best artistic work in the field. A virtuosi performance
integrating theatre, dance and acrobatics along with lighting and pyrotechnic effects will
be especially organized for the festival at Habonim Gardens. The opening performance
for the festival will take place in cooperation with the Israel Festival and will consist of
a huge concert at Sultan’s pool performed by the Symphony Orchestra and lighting
design by the internationally renowned designer Avi-Yonah Bueno (Bambi).
The Festival of Light in the Old City of Jerusalem will light up in a new light the Old City,
its alleyways and sites and will continue to promote the Old City of Jerusalem as a
multi-faceted site, with an enchanting and delightful nightlife.
