DUBAI // The skies above Dubai will shine brightly thanks to the inaugural Festival of Lights.
Emaar Properties and the city of Lyon launched the first festival yesterday, which is set to take centre stage in Downtown Dubai until March 29.
“We welcome you tonight to the Dubai Festival of Lights in its first ever edition, in which more than 30 art pieces will be in the area,” said Ahmed Al Matroushi, managing director of Emaar Properties. “I would like to thank our partners from the city of Lyon and the Emaar staff for their contributions.”
Lionel Flasseur, Lyon’s international promotion director, who spoke on behalf of Lyon and its mayor, Gerard Collomb, said the city was proud to be part of Dubai Festival of Lights.
“Driven by the same desire to be open to the world and play an active role in the future of the city, Lyon and Dubai have been partners for the past 10 years,” he said. “Today is a big day because we are together to celebrate a new measure in our connection.”
Mr Flasseur said Lyon’s Festival of Lights, one of France’s most artistic and historic events which takes place every year in December, attracts millions of visitors.
“Tonight, it’s a great, proud and intense emotion to experiment this festival in the magic of downtown and a promise of long-term collaboration between Lyon and Emaar,” he said.
“This is an artistic bridge between our cities. Vive le Dubai Festival of Lights.”
More than 30 artists will take part in the event which will use energy efficient lighting and will display well-known buildings and landmarks in the heart of the city, including around Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.
Prominent areas that will be incorporated include Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, The Dubai Fountain, Souk Al Bahar, The Address Downtown Dubai and The Palace Downtown Dubai hotels, Burj Plaza and Emaar Square.
“Dubai Festival of Lights is set to be an extraordinary celebration of artistic creativity and light installations on a scale never experienced before in the region,” said Mr Al Matroushi.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
