WITH Lumiere 2021 just around the corner, here is everything you need to know about how to visit the festival.

The full artistic programme has been announced with 37 different artworks by internationally-renowned and local artists, two-thirds of which will be outside of the ticketed controlled central zone and can be visited at any time without a ticket.

While Durham Cathedral will be open as normal during the day, with two smaller light installations, it will be closed each evening as part of social distancing plans.

Enjoy the new video-mapped projection In Our Hearts Blind Hope prjected onto the cathedral from Palace Green, before moving on to see City of Light, City of Stories in The College.

For the first time this year, the programme extends beyond the city to six landmark sites across Durham County, including Finchale Priory, Raby Castle, Seaham Marina and Peterlee.

Funded by the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund awarded to Durham County Council and spanning almost 500 years from a medieval priory to an iconic brutalist pavilion, these new works offer a different take on familiar landmarks brought to life in unexpected ways.

Tree of Hope, Tekja, Lumiere’s first online and in-person interactive artwork is a digital tree that evolves online in response to the hopes expressed by individuals around the world.

Inspired by Durham’s history as a place of ‘big thinkers’ and stunning landscapes, the sapling will grow into a beautiful tree as hopes are gathered online.

Supported by Visit County Durham Ltd, this is the first-ever Lumiere artwork to be hosted in the digital space, giving audiences a chance to be part of the magic whether or not they are present at the festival.

The live audience will also get a chance to contribute to the physical installation in Prince Bishops Place during the festival.

Another first for Lumiere is a new collaboration with Durham University and New Writing North that will see new works by ten of the UK’s most exciting poets projected onto the walls of Durham Castle.

Anthology – Into the Light includes poems by Kayombo Chingonyi, Selina Nwulu, Roger Robinson, Kae Tempest and Michael Rosen, and will examine the meaning of light and darkness through the interplay of words, light and sound.

Speaking about the University’s support for Lumiere 2021, Professor Janet Stewart, Executive Dean (Arts and Humanities) said:

“Lumiere holds a special place in the hearts of many and we are excited to once again be supporting the festival in lighting up our beautiful city for everyone to enjoy.

“Our continued support for Lumiere is part of our deep-rooted commitment to the community, supporting culture, creativity and heritage in our city, county and the North East. The three installations we are hosting will bring an inspiring dash of artistic creativity and vision to some of our newest and some of our most historic buildings.

“We are delighted that many enthusiastic staff and student volunteers from our University will be helping to make the festival a great success across our campus and the wider city.”

Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “As the UK’s leading light festival, Lumiere has truly put County Durham on the map and is a shining example of how culture enhances the vibrancy of our communities.

“It also demonstrates the scale of our cultural ambitions, which are driving forward the Durham 2025 campaign and no doubt helped to secure our place on the UK City of Culture 2025 longlist.

“Lumiere’s return is all the more special this year, as it is the first-time the installations will be spread across the county, making it even easier for our residents to enjoy the magic of the festival. It will also encourage visitors to explore other parts of our wonderful county, extending the economic benefits the event brings.

“The programme reflects the spirit of creativity and innovation we pride ourselves on here in County Durham and I can’t wait to share this unforgettable experience with our residents.”

As part of the festival, 25 Year 9 students at The Durham Federation school have taken part in neon-making and creative writing workshops over the last few months, to produce a series of neon text artworks, which light up their own words as part of Lumiere.

The title of the artwork, Article 12, refers to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which establishes the right of every child to freely express their views.

For Jess, aged 14 and a student at The Durham Federation, Article 12 has changed the way she sees herself: “There is a lot of pressure on the younger generation, but we don’t always feel we have a voice for people to hear us. I am excited to see my creative ideas put into action so other people can see them at Lumiere, and to get the chance to work with neon. I’m really proud of myself, and my friends, that we’ve got this opportunity to speak out and show other people what we’re made of and what we can do.”

Article 12 is supported by Atom Bank, Ragdoll Foundation and County Durham Community Foundation and is just one of several community engagement projects that are part of this year’s programme. As always, a wide range of community groups and individuals from across County Durham are involved in the creation of artworks for this year’s festival. From a glowing cityscape of lanterns reflecting the stories of local residents, to the huge hanging flowers made by community groups from recycled household plastic, Durham residents are at the heart of the festival.

“We are so excited to see Lumiere light up the city again”, said Michelle Cooper, chief executive of County Durham Community Foundation.

“As a community foundation that cares deeply about making sure everyone has the chance to be part of something so special, we have been proud to support the Learning and Participation programme through our match funding offer to local businesses. The festival runs for four days, but the community element of the festival lasts for much longer, and it is this legacy of art and culture for all that we want to make possible.”

Changes to the way Lumiere is ticketed will be in place this year to help visitors enjoy a Covid secure experience, so make sure you read the information and know what you need to do to book a ticket.

This year, all Lumiere tickets will be digital. Free digital tickets will be available to book via the Lumiere website: lumiere-festival.com.

In a change from previous years, the controlled city centre area (Pink zone: Market Place, Saddler Street, Silver Street, Palace Green, North and South Baileys, Prebends Bridge and Riverside to Framwellgate Bridge) will now be ticketed for the entirety of the festival opening times every night.

You will need a timed ticket to visit the controlled City centre area at any time between 4.30pm and 11pm when the festival closes. There is no time limit on how long you can spend in the ticketed zone. You will need to book tickets for one of the following timeslots: 4.30pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm.

If you live in County Durham, you will be able to book tickets from Tuesday, October 19 before anybody else.

All tickets for Lumiere are processed on the Lumiere website via Durham County Council Theatres. Sign up for an account in advance at Lumiere-festival.com to speed up the booking process on the day. Tickets will go on general release for everyone on Thursday, October 21.

Tickets have switched from paper to digital to avoid people having to queue in person to collect tickets. Digital tickets will also save paper and be more environmentally sustainable.

You can print off your PDF tickets or present the PDF on a smartphone or tablet at ticket entry points at Claypath or Framwellgate Bridge.

If you don’t have a smartphone or tablet, you can book your tickets on a computer with internet access via the Lumiere website: lumiere-festival.co.uk. You can then print off your PDF ticket at home or at one of Durham County Council’s 39 libraries across the county.

You can visit your local library to book and print off your ticket on a public computer. Library staff will be able to help if you need a hand. If you have any questions or need further assistance ring the Lumiere hotline on 03000 264 440.

To keep up-to-date with latest news about the festival visit lumiere-festival.co.uk to sign up for the Lumiere e-newsletter and follow @artichoketrust on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Lumiere is open each night between 4.30pm and 11pm. The festival is completely free to attend and two thirds of the artworks are outside of the controlled City centre area and can be visited without a ticket at any time.

The festival programme is online at Lumiere-festival.com and printed festival programmes will be available for a suggested donation of £2 from Gala Theatre in November and from the Lumiere Visitor Hub in Millennium Place.

The Lumiere Visitor Hub will be open from Saturday, November 13 between 11am and 5pm and between noon and 11pm from Thursday, November 18 until Sunday, November 21.

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