Sharjah is gearing up for the seventh edition of the Light Festival which will be held from February 2 to 11 at 13 different locations spanning the entire emirate.

The chosen locations are set to be illuminated with breath-taking light shows and musical performances that shed light, literally, on the aesthetics of Sharjah’s architectural landscape, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) revealed this morning in a press conference held at Al Qasimia University Amphitheatre.

Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman of SCTDA, spoke at the conference, which was also attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi, director of the Department of Statistics and Community Development; Salem bin Salem, director of the Prevention and Safety Authority; and Abdul Rahman bin Taliah, head of Government and Corporate Affairs at Air Arabia; as well as representatives from several government departments in Sharjah, and local and international media outlets.

In his speech, Al Midfa noted that the Light Festival – held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah – highlights the emirate’s achievements and reflects its excellence in all matters related to education, knowledge, and innovation, and turns technological advancements in the field of lighting into beautiful art displays.

“The new locations will cover all cities and regions around the Emirate of Sharjah,” he noted, “bringing the total number of locations to 13. The list of locations this year includes: University City Hall, Cultural Palace, Al Noor Mosque, Al Taqwa Mosque, and Al Qasba. In addition to the interactive light shows in the Palm Garden and the parade on the Khalid Lagoon Corniche. Other locations around the emirate include Kalba University, Khor Fakkan University, Dibba Mosque, Al Dhaid Mosque, and the newest addition this year: Dr. Sultan Al-Qasimi Centre for Gulf Studies.”

Al Midfa went on to reaffirm that the authority is constantly working to develop its strategies in accordance with directives from H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, which seek to firmly position Sharjah on the global tourism map.

Over the years, the Sharjah Light Festival has succeeded in attracting thousands of visitors each year, Al Midfa pointed out. The 2016 edition drew in more than 560,000 visitors from the UAE and abroad, while social media channels recorded 2.8 million interactions (according to Google Analytics) – a clear indication of the festival’s widespread appeal.

The list of sponsors for the Sharjah Light Festival 2017 includes: Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Police Headquarters, Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA), Sharjah Transport, Sharjah Civil Defense Department, and the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). Nomada signed on as partner, while the list of media partners includes Al Khaleej Newspaper, Al Rabia FM, and Gulf Today Newspaper. - TradeArabia News Service