The innovative concept sees city landmarks lit up spectacularly, in a perfect marriage of art and science, and is the brainchild of Alessandra Caggiano and Hugh Parnell. They wanted to celebrate technology and highlight how important light is to our lives, while creating something beautiful to be enjoyed by all.
Last year’s e-Luminate saw King’s College glow purple, a giant game of noughts and crosses played out on the front of the Guildhall and Cambridge’s many churches come alive with light and music as part of the Trail of Light tour. This year, the Trail of Light returns, taking you on an atmospheric, musical night-time tour of Cambridge (starts 4.30pm, 14 February, tickets £10), then check out the Light Hub on Parker’s Piece, a Dark Concert at Great St Mary’s church and children’s Light Lab at the Guildhall.
Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Vice Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, commented: “What we have here [in Cambridge] is history and to see it in such a light is really spectacular. It’s not just looking back, it’s looking to the future because the technology we’re using is the technology of the future.
“Seeing the city illuminated has been fun: to see the effect of e-Luminate has been great and makes you feel we’re on the right track for the next 100 years so that our grandchildren and their children will be able to enjoy the city in the way that we have.”
2015’s festival runs 11-15 February.
