Medellin, Colombia’s second largest city famous for its “Flower Festival,” announced Thursday its first annual “Festival of Lights” to take place from December 1 through 8.
During a press event laden with sparkling dancers, colorful ice cubes, larger-than-life butterflies and an enormous hot air balloon, the Mayor’s office of Medellin announced the city’s first “Festival of Lights” or “Festival de las Luces” that hopes to “strengthen art and cultural expression and boost tourism and the city’s economy,” according to the released report.
Medellin’s Mayor, Anibal Gaviria, said that he hopes that the “Festival of Lights” will become an annual tradition as recognized, respected and enjoyed as the “Flower Festival” that takes place every year at the end of July.
Colombia’s most extroverted city during the holidays will be building upon its normal extravagant Christmas lights, or “alumbrados,” which coat the entire city.
MORE: Medellin Christmas lights revealed
The ritual turning on of these Christmas lights will indicate the start of the festival.
Featured events sponsored by the Mayors office will include: video projection art every night on building surfaces across the city by French lighting designer Xavier de Richemont; a Christmas Spectacular projection show every night in the Parque de Pies Descalzos; Transfer of Knowledge events at Parque Explora on December 1,3 and 6; an international giant marionette spectacular on December 5; a 5K and 10K “Festival of Lights” Race on December 6; an outdoor movie screening for children on December 6 and 7; a Carnival of Lights, Myths, and Legends on December 8; and much more.
All of the events are sponsored by the Mayor’s office, utilities company EPM, and the communications company UNE.
A Festival of Lights is not unique to Medellin; European cities like Lyon, Berlin and Amsterdam have similar festivals and inside Colombia the capital of Antioquia was preceded by the colonial town of Villa de Leyva
Sources
- Press conference
