Liverpool LightNight 2015; Review
For its sixth year running, the cultural event LightNight returned to illuminate the city last Friday night – and what a night it was! People of all ages came together to celebrate the immense cultural diversity Liverpool has to offer, and this year over 130 free events were put on for the public to come and see, or to take part in for themselves. With the theme for 2015 being ‘Looking to the New’, there were numerous exhibitions on showcasing the incredible new talent Liverpool constantly has on offer. One of the most popular exhibitions on this year was the AquaDucked’s Liverpool Duck Trail; 20 larger than life ducks designed in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and put in various places around the city; they strike a very close resemblance to the famous Lambananas. Cleverly linking the past with the present, each modern duck is individually themed around an achievement in Liverpool’s history – the exhibition will be on until June 9th, ending with the Liverpool Duck race.
Another exhibition charity based was Unite for Nepal, which was located in the John Moore’s University John Lennon Art and Design building. Having visited Nepal myself, I have friends there, and the recent events there are close to my heart as they are to many others; the exhibition was a wonderful tribute in which the public were able to donate, share pictures and experiences, and then light a lantern as a gesture (which the drizzly weather unfortunately made very difficult). Nevertheless, despite the weather trying very hard to ruin the evening, we all know it’s difficult to dampen the people of Liverpool! Besides, if you really don’t like rain, there was always the option to ride a Liverpool heritage bus free of charge, taking you around the city; after all, with over 130 events on all over the city, of course it is difficult to cram all of it in in just one evening!
There wasn’t only exhibitions on; numerous performances, food stalls and family fun interactions came alive for the evening too! A street performance ‘How May I Direct Your Call?’ explored our country’s love affair with the red telephone box, as well as celebrating Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, both the designer of the telephone box and of the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral (which held various events throughout the evening). Liverpool’s monumental Anglican Cathedral also came alive and lit up the city, allowing the public to travel to the top later than usual to see the sunset, as well as see Liverpool more vibrant than ever due to the annual event. Children played amongst the ever- changing lights inside the cathedral, symbolizing the life the rest of the city felt.
The popular Food Slam was on at Camp & Furnace in the Baltic Triangle, offering an incredible variety of food stalls and drinks to give you the energy needed to dance end the night over at Constellations for Disco Glitter Love until 2am! There was also KYC Sound & Light on until late at the Bombed out Church (which is always a treat), accompanied by an impressive light performance, lighting up our beloved church. Overall, LightNight is becoming increasingly popular (with 2014 attracting 50,000 people), and there is no doubt that this year was even more and I cannot wait to see what exhibitions, both new and old, have to show the people of Liverpool next year!
Fran Collis
