Spread across 12 days, Sharjah Light Festival starts on February 7

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Under the patronage of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the highly anticipated 13th Sharjah Light Festival (SLF) is set to commence from February 7 to 18. This prominent event, organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), promises to adorn Sharjah's most iconic cultural and natural landmarks with mesmerising artistic displays conceived by globally renowned artists.

The festival will feature 15+ spectacular light shows meticulously crafted by 15+ international artists, unfolding over 12 consecutive days across 12 key locations. The shows start from 6pm until 11pm, except on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, where the shows continue until midnight.

The locations include the General Directorate of Sharjah Police, the General Souq - Al Hamriyah, Kalba Waterfront, which are three newly added locations in this year's edition, besides Khalid Lagoon, Al Majaz Waterfront, BEEAH Group Headquarters, Al Dhaid Fort, Sharjah Mosque, Sheikh Rashid Al Qasimi Mosque, Al Noor Mosque, Al Rafisah Dam. Adding to the allure, the Light Village, situated in front of the University City Hall building in Sharjah, will showcase 55+ small and medium-sized national projects, commencing on the 1st of February.

Utilising advanced, latest energy-efficient lighting technologies, the SLF will transform the facades of these landmarks into a vibrant tapestry of colours, celebrating Sharjah's rich history and heritage. These venues, already noted for their stunning architecture, will be further enhanced by the interplay of light and music, creating dynamic visual narratives that articulate the emirate's past, present, and future aspirations. This festival stands as a beacon of peace, tolerance, and diversity, using the universal language of light to unite different cultures and civilisations, soothing the soul and delighting the eye.

Commenting on the preparations, Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman of the SCTDA, said: “The Sharjah Light Festival is a prestigious global event, reflecting the emirate's role as a beacon of art, culture, and heritage in the region. Orchestrated under the guidance of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the festival is a testament to our commitment to fusing art, culture, heritage, and innovation, thereby enhancing the experience of tourists and visitors worldwide.”

“Our annual collaboration with international artists underscores the festival's significance as a cultural and artistic cornerstone in the UAE and across the region. This event bolsters Sharjah's presence on the global tourism map, underscoring the emirate's expertise in hosting major events with international appeal and resonance, in line with our vision to advance the tourism sector,” Al Midfa added.

The 12th edition of SLF registered significant public turnout and wide interest, attracting nearly 1.3 million visitors, including 184,000 visits to the Light Village.

According to a report last year, a group of the most important mosques in the Emirate of Sharjah and its cities shine with the impressive "Sharjah Lights Festival (SFL) 2023" performances, which show the aesthetics of the architectural details and decorations that these mosques enjoy on their facades.

The list of mosques includes Al Noor Mosque on Khalid Lake Corniche, and the Sharjah Mosque, which is the largest mosque in the centre of the emirate, along with the Sheikh Rashid Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi Mosque in Dibba Al Hisn.

These mosques are a testimony to the Emirate of Sharjah’s culture and identity and the beauty of its landmark designs.

Under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the synergy of Sharjah’s beautiful architecture, cultural heritage and light first came to be in 2010 with the first Sharjah Light Festival.

The SLF has been celebrating the emirate’s achivements since then. In 2014, as a tribute to Sharjah’s Capital of Islamic Culture award, the SLF included a spectacular hour-long parade, starting at the Flag Island and covering the expanse of Khalid Lagoon.

The year the emirate won the award for Capital of Arab Tourism was celebrated with new locations highlighting the historical heritage of Sharjah.