The 10th edition of Sharjah Light Festival, under the patronage of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, concluded its light shows on Saturday (Feb.15), after attracting a strong turnout of visitors for 11 consecutive nights, during which a series of impressive light and interactive shows illuminated the city's landmarks with a combination of music and special effects to celebrate the heritage, culture and architectural wonders of Sharjah. The 2020 edition of one of the most unique entertainment events in the world held its closing ceremony organized by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) at Al Majaz Waterfront, in the presence of high-profile officials, dignitaries and representatives of government and private entities in the emirate. The closing ceremony attracted remarkable response from the audience with its array of exceptional and innovative shows, created by a group of renowned light and music artists from around the world, applying the latest techniques in lighting, graphics, 3D and video mapping technology. This year's edition, which successfully highlighted Sharjah's world-class facilities and advanced infrastructure, which add immense value to the local tourism sector, thereby positioning the emirate as a leading hub for high-profile international events and an ideal tourist destination for families, attracted 1,3 million visitors. The outstanding 10th edition of the Festival was celebrated at its closing with a one-of-a-kind show in terms of design, content, artistic direction, technology, and audiovisual effects used in the display of innovative and unique light shows. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, SCTDA, extended his sincere gratitude to Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, for his patronage and support of the festival and to Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Executive Council of Sharjah, for his continued support in promoting Sharjah's profile on the global tourism stage. Al Midfa said that the festival, which has won the hearts of visitors and residents, has now evolved into a unique global event and a source of pride for Sharjah, showcasing the latest trends in lighting technologies through innovative shows and providing fun-filled and highly interactive experiences to visitors. The success of the festival, he added, is the result of extensive efforts and high-level collaboration between government and private sector organizations, and that SCTDA remains committed to adopting innovative ideas and new strategies to further enhance this captivating event to ensure that it continues to deliver creative content. "For the last 11 days, Sharjah Light Festival 2020 lit up 19 distinct locations across the emirate, and this year's edition highlighted the spirit of innovation and knowledge transfer by encouraging student initiatives, and the implementation of several interactive shows using ground-breaking technologies, such as augmented reality, 3D video mapping and numerous light and sound effects. It was also remarkable in terms of national enterprise participation, this year's six new locations and the execution of enthralling firework and folklore performances. Most importantly, this year's edition of the festival attracted 1,3 million visitors, recording an 8.3 per cent growth in the number of visitors compared to last year, with a wide coverage of local and international media and strong social media interaction," noted Al Midfa. The closing ceremony featured a 3D video mapping show presented by SCTDA, which effectively summed up the highlights of the 10th Sharjah Light Festival, including the main light and interactive shows that illuminated Sharjah's iconic buildings. SCTDA honored SLF 2020 partners and sponsors with a plaque of appreciation in recognition of their key contribution to the event's success and for promoting it as a must-see attraction among local and regional festivals. Meanwhile, all stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to continue collaborating with the Authority to enhance Sharjah's position as a leading destination in global tourism. — SG
