Festival of Lights on the East Coast
A LEGACY OF LIGHT
A journey of light that takes us from past, present and into the future – the Sharjah Light Festival has showcased Sharjah and the emirate’s identity, for over 10 astonishing years, becoming an innate part of the emirate’s legacy.
As the UAE celebrates a magnificent 50 years and reaches forward to embrace the next 50, the Sharjah Light Festival returns, to spin the stories of light and music that have so enchanted viewers for over a decade. Uniquely combining historical landmarks with modern innovations and technology, Sharjah’s rich heritage and historical monuments take on a mantle of light with a blend of illumination, music and storytelling, thrilling audiences and transporting viewers on multiple journeys through nature, urban landscapes and the evening sky.
Local and international artists, musicians and light technicians participate every year in a collaboration that takes over Sharjah, their efforts culminating in 12 memorable evenings where diverse locations are featured, each selected for its dramatic setting and inspiring architecture. The emirate becomes, beyond the festival, home to a poignant sense of community and inclusivity as spectators together discover a newfound appreciation for the emirate’s landmarks and public spaces.
The journey continues as the UAE steps into the future and the next 50 years.
In 2022, under the theme ‘Echoes of the Future”, the Sharjah Light Festival takes its place as a symbol of Sharjah’s multi-faceted cultural heritage, its present success and prosperity and a beacon of light for future peace and graciousness.
The Sharjah Light Festival 2022 will light up the emirate from 9 to 20 February.
Al Rafisah Dam
Flowers of the Future
Weekends from 6.00pm – 12.00 midnight
The majestic backdrop of the Al Rafisah Dam is the panoramic setting for Flowers of the Future. A traveler finds his way from the past into the present and the future as he fords his way through the majestic rock-strewn mountains. In Act 1, the traveller’s way is full of obstacles, stars rise and rocks crumble in front of him but help is on its way, on a boat made of stars, our traveller sails away into the next scene and Act 2.
The traveller’s journey takes him past depictions of ruins and ancient settlements, desert oasis, waterfalls and a tranquil green landscape with palm trees which indicate the history and prosperous present state of the emirate. Even here, our traveller has challenges to overcome before he steps into the future – in Act 3, dark roots block his way but the Flowers of the Future light the path in front of him. Heritage, culture and knowledge are revealed as the building blocks to overcome the hardships and challenges a nation faces as it forges its future.
Kalba Government Buildings
Human Energy through Heritage and History
Weekends from 6.00pm – 12.00 midnight
The power of human energy – innovation, evolution and authenticity is expressed in vibrant colours and shapes in this show celebrating the success of a unique emirate. Geometric, arabesque patterns, interspersed with representations of the mashrabiya (traditional, filigreed windows once common in the region) highlight the authenticity of Sharjah’s commitment to culture and precious values while elements of cubism, considered one of the most influential art styles of the 20th century, highlights the structure of the Department of Town Planning and Survey (Kalba), with kaleidoscopic effects celebrating the emirate’s high standing as an example of progress and civilisation to the world.
Dibba Al Hisn
Islam + Architecture + Heritage
Weekends from 6.00pm – 12.00 midnight
Celebrating Heritage and Legacy, Progress of a Nation and Harmony as components of the emirate’s past, present and future, this evocative show on the Rashid bin Ahmed Al Qassimi Mosque in Dibba Al Hisn, uses traditional and contemporary elements to highlight the originality of the building. Overlays of letters, light and glitter shift on the façade, encouraging the viewer to admire the structural form underneath.
The combination of traditional symbolism, indicating values of trust, integrity, intelligence, power, knowledge and stability highlighted in modern technology and patterns are reminiscent of Sharjah’s many undertakings which allow “evolution in the future without letting go of the identity of the past”
Official Website: https://www.sharjahlightfestival.ae/en/shows/
