Under the patronage of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) announced that it will organize the 10th edition of the Sharjah Light Festival, a cultural and artistic event that celebrates the emirate's achievements in the fields of education, knowledge, and innovation, on February 5-15. The latest edition of this unique spectacle will mark a decade of creativity and excellence in harnessing technological capabilities in the field of lighting to produce stunning imageries that tell the story of Sharjah. The Sharjah Light Festival 2020 is set to present fascinating shows that will light up the emirate, attracting those looking to explore the authentic history and heritage of this region. The details were announced by SCTDA during a press conference held in front of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry building. The Sharjah Light Festival 2020 will officially kick off on 5 February with a show on the architectural icon, Sharjah City Municipality building, narrating the history of Arab culture and its impact on the past and present. Sharjah's most prominent architectural landmarks will transform into canvases for light shows that portray the emirate's position as the meeting point of world civilizations for 11 consecutive nights till Feb. 15. The latest edition of the Festival will be held in 19 sites spread across the emirate, including Al Dhaid, Khorfakkan and Dibba Al-Hisn on the east coast, which will feature creations of talented international and local artists, who have previously demonstrated their expertise at various similar international festivals. The Festival comprises new locations every year as well as innovations in light technology and unique collaborations. The 10th edition of the Sharjah Light Festival will witness participation of students from the American University of Sharjah and the University of Sharjah, as a part of knowledge transfer and reflecting community involvement in the important events that are held in the emirate. During the press conference, SCTDA announced the locations covered by the 10th edition of the festival, which will also include 3 interactive shows, two of them at Al Majaz Waterfront and one on the facade of the University City Hall. The interactive show at University City Hall will feature a blend of video mapping technologies and augmented virtual reality to create an illusion of traveling around the world, inspired by the unique elements of Sharjah. These shows, which use a remote-control panel, will provide the public with the chance to be part of the experience by allowing them to change the features of the show, thereby, changing the atmosphere with each experience. A major live show will be held daily at the Al Majaz Waterfront at 9 pm, featuring the participation of a group of international teams that will dazzle the audience with their artistry, before concluding with a breathtaking firework display over Khalid Lagoon. During his speech at the conference, Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, said: "The Sharjah Light Festival today has garnered local and international reputation and continues to attract an increasing number of visitors from within the UAE and globally. This year, we celebrate 10 years of the rich legacy of this cultural and artistic spectacle, which would not have been possible without the continuous support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah." "The 10th edition represents an important milestone in the success of this unique event, which continues to garner wide international attention by presenting impressive lighting displays that embody the spirit and culture of Sharjah and live up to the expectations of visitors and residents. It also contributes to the promotion of Sharjah's tourism, cultural and heritage attractions in an innovative way. Above all, it highlights our commitment to continue our efforts to take Sharjah's tourism achievements to new heights, while also promoting the emirate as a preferred destination for family tourism," Al Midfa added. The locations of Sharjah Light Festival 2020 include the University City Hall, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah Police Academy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah Mosque, Sharjah City Municipality, Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, Al Majaz Waterfront, Masjid Al Noor, Al Qasba, Omran Taryam Square, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Al Hamriyah Area Municipality, Al Wousta TV Building (Al Dhaid), University of Sharjah- Kalba, House of Justice – Khorfakkan, Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport – Khorfakkan and Masjid Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmad Al Qasimi (Dibba Al-Hisn). This year's edition of the festival will see the return of the Food Truck Zone opposite University City Hall and in front of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Among the new sites that have been added to the festival this year are the University of Sharjah, Sharjah Mosque, the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, the Omran Taryam Square, the Al Wousta TV Building (Al Dhaid), the House of Justice – Khorfakkan and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Khorfakkan. Daily shows will be held in all locations from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm during weekdays, and from 6:00 pm to 12:00 midnight on Thursdays and Fridays. The 2018 edition of the Sharjah Light Festival attracted 1 million visitors, who gathered to watch 20 magnificent light shows. The 2019 edition of the festival attracted more than 1,200,000 visitors, recording an increase of 20 per cent compared to 2018, to revel in impressive light shows presented over 11 days by international artists. The festival underscored the importance of family ties and cultural values and traditions of the Emirate of Sharjah across 17 different locations in the emirate. The festival this year is sponsored and supported by a number of local authorities, namely Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Police Headquarters, Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority, Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, Bee'ah, Al Majaz Amphitheatre, Department of Civil Aviation, Sharjah Airport, Sharjah Institute for Heritage, University City of Sharjah, American University of Sharjah, University of Sharjah, Sharjah Department of Town Planning and Survey. In addition, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority will be the media sponsor. — SG
