Inaugural ‘Dubai Festival of Lights' showcases

over 30 spectacular artistic installations

Dubai, UAE; March 20, 2014: The inaugural Dubai Festival of Lights, organised by Emaar Properties, in partnership with the City of Lyon's Festival of Lights (Fête des Lumières de Lyon), in its flagship mega-development Downtown Dubai, is offering a spellbinding experience for visitors with more than 30 spectacular lighting and artistic installations, until March 29, 2014.

In environment-friendly LED lighting, the artistic installations cover the alleyways and public spaces of the world’s most prestigious square kilometre on earth, creating a never-before seen visually creative spectacle in the region. The crowning glory of the ‘Dubai Festival of Lights’ is a specially commissioned piece by artist and fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, whose piece ‘Metropolis Mirage’ lights up the bridge at Souk Al Bahar.

Serving as metaphor between history and modern life, epitomised by its location, Castelbajac’s work is a fitting tribute the stunning evolution to Dubai.

From fantastic themed installations to video mapping, lighted sculptures, and interactive pieces, ‘Dubai Festival of Lights,’ marvels visitors not only for the artistic genius that goes into the illumination works, but also for the festive ambience it ushers in to ‘The Centre of Now.’

Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director, Emaar Properties PJSC, said: “‘Dubai Festival of Lights’ is a captivating spectacle on a magnificent scale. The Festival is as much about the brilliance of illumination as about artistic creativity, offering our visitors an awe-inspiring experience. Emaar has always been at the forefront in promoting culture and arts, and with ‘Dubai Festival of Lights,’ we are giving a new dimension to city-illumination by integrating it with artistic flourish.”

Lionel Flasseur, Lyons International Promotion Director said: “Fête des Lumières de Lyon is an historic celebration that became a popular and artistic success. It remains the international benchmark in this field, attracting millions of visitors every year and inspiring many cities in the world. We are particularly proud to partner with Emaar and contribute to the ‘Dubai Festival of Lights.’”

The inaugural ‘Dubai Festival of Lights’ features works by critically-acclaimed artists, engineers, designers, multidisciplinary ensembles and architects, including: French fashion designers and artists Jean-Charles de Castelbajac and Chantal Thomass; Theoriz Crew; Akira-Lisa Ichii; Stephane Masson; Sebastian Lefevre; Jack Rival; Tilt; Daniel Knipper; Catherine Garret; Koert Vermeulen; Vendredi 4 & Beam’Art; Yannick K; Christophe Mayer; Damien Fontaine; JP David and Caroline Frimat; Romain Tardy; Edouard Levine; JL Herve; Jerome Toq’r; Fabrice Oudin; Thomas Veyssiere; Matthieu Durbec; Pitaya Light; Moetu Batlle and David Passegand; Richard Fontaine; and Frederic Cilia.

A thriving destination, Downtown Dubai is also home to some of the most popular festivities that demonstrate the city’s capability to execute large-scale events, such as the celebrations of UAE’s right to host the World Expo 2020; the New Year’s Eve Gala Celebrations; The Parade – Downtown Dubai, UAE National Day; and the Emirates Classic Car Festival, all of which are organised by Emaar. www.mydowntowndubai.com