Shock, sadness and hope over light festival demise

The festival is a huge footfall boost for the city, Durham BID has said

The demise of a light festival could mean the end of a city's access to "world-class" art and opportunities for new artists, residents have said.

Organisers announced on Thursday that this year's biennial Lumiere festival in Durham city would be the last.

Helen Marriage, artistic director and CEO of public art producers Artichoke, told Radio Newcastle the event was being scrapped because it was no longer "viable".

Lewis Hobson, from Durham, is showing his work for the first time at the last Lumiere and said the city might now lose "that link to all the expertise in London".

People on social media said they were sad and disappointed, while local artists, who have been part of Lumiere, said it was a loss.

Mr Hobson was chosen to showcase his work through the festival's commissioning scheme Brilliant, which nurtures new talent.

Durham artist Lewis Hobson is showing his work for the first time at the last Lumiere

He said being involved was "amazing" and he hoped it would create more opportunities.

"This is my first appearance at Lumiere and to be doing the last one just feels quite strange really," he said.

"A foot in the door is quite hard to get for people up here, so I feel like not only have I lost that link to future things in Durham but also Durham's lost that link to all the expertise in London which feels really sad."

Artist Angela Sandwith, from Seaham, was also commissioned through the Brilliant scheme in 2023.

She said she had exhibited her work internationally as a result and her family had visited every festival.

Angela Sandwith's Ghost Nest was shown at Lumiere in 2023

"It's going to be a great miss," she said.

"It's given thousands and thousands of people that opportunity to see world-class light art in a beautiful setting."

However, although she said she was sad Lumiere had been scrapped, she was "confident" it would not be the end of light art in the city.

"I think light art is now embedded in Durham," she added.

Ms Sandwith said being part of Lumiere had helped her showcase her work internationally

Lumiere began in 2009 and has drawn more than 1.3 million visitors over the years.

The 2025 edition of the festival was already set to be a day shorter amid rising costs.

Ms Marriage said the first event had cost £650,000, while this year's was about £2.5m.

According to Durham County Council leader Andrew Husband, Lumiere has generated more than £43m for the local economy.

Durham BID (Business Improvement District) manager Paul Howard said its end was significant for businesses and the cultural calendar.

"It's a huge footfall boost for Durham and a lot of the businesses do very well out of it," he said.

Durham Lumiere has been taking place since 2009

Mr Howard said BID was now working with partners to figure out how to fill the gap after the show ends.

"We want to make sure that the legacy of Lumiere continues in some way or another," he said.

"It's a chance to refocus and rethink how we deliver events in Durham city.

"It's a shame it's not happening in 2027, but hopefully something positive will come out of it."

City of Durham Parish Council has called for funding to be "captured and redirected" towards other arts and culture events throughout the year.

"Lumiere has been absolutely terrific for the city and for our wider county, helping to place Durham firmly on the map as a cultural focal point for the North East," chair Susan Walker said.

"Whilst we are naturally disappointed to see such an iconic event come to an end, it is vital that the significant funding and investment is not lost to the city".

'My whole adult life'

Mr Hobson, 31, said the festival had been "part of the fabric of Durham".

"Lumière has been there my whole adult life," he said.

"I guess in many ways I've taken that for granted and I've definitely not been to every Lumiere, but the idea of it not being there is something that feels not great when I kind of turn it over in my head."

Organisers said the decision to end Lumiere "had not been taken lightly" and next month's final event would be "a fitting farewell".

"Anyone who hasn't come in the past, this is you chance. If you've come before, then do come back," Ms Marriage said.

Ms Sandwith added: "Let's celebrate what we've had, what we've seen and been part of."