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Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) declared that it will organize the tenth edition of the Sharjah Light Festival, a cultural and artistic event that celebrates the emirates achievements in the fields of education, knowledge, and innovation, from February 5 to the 15th. The latest version of this special spectacle will mark a decade of creativity and excellence in harnessing technological capabilities in the discipline of lighting to produce amazing imageries that tell the story of Sharjah.

The Sharjah Light Festival 2020 is set to present captivating shows that will light up the emirate, attracting those looking to explore the real history and heritage of this region. The details have been announced by SCTDA in a press conference held on Monday, January 27, 2020 in front of the the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry building.

The Sharjah Light Festival 2020 will formally kick off on 5 February with a exhibit on the architectural icon, Sharjah City Municipality building, narrating the history of Arab culture and its impact on the previous and present. Sharjahs most distinguished architectural landmarks will transform into canvases for light shows that portray the emirates position as the meeting point of world civilizations for eleven consecutive nights till 15 February.

The latest edition of the Festival will be held in 19 sites spread throughout the emirate, including Al Dhaid, Khorfakkan and Dibba Al-Hisn on the east coast, which will feature creations of talented global and local artists, who have formerly demonstrated their skills at a range of similar global festivals. The Festival involves new locations every year as well as innovations in light technology and special collaborations. The 10th edition of the Sharjah Light Festival will witness participation of students from the American University of Sharjah and the University of Sharjah, as a part of knowledge transfer and reflecting community involvement in the significant events that are held in the emirate.

During the press conference, SCTDA announced the locations covered by the tenth edition of the festival, which will additionally encompass three interactive shows, two of them at Al Majaz Waterfront and one on the facade of the University City Hall. The interactive show at University City Hall will feature a combination of video mapping technologies and augmented virtual reality to create an illusion of traveling across the world, inspired by the special elements of Sharjah.

These shows, which use a remote-control panel, will provide the public with the chance to be part of the experience by permitting them to change the aspects of the show, thereby, changing the atmosphere with every experience. A predominant live show will be held each day at the Al Majaz Waterfront at 9 pm, featuring the participation of a crew of global groups that will dazzle the audience with their artistry, before concluding with a breathtaking firework display over Khalid Lagoon.

During his speech at the conference, His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, said: The Sharjah Light Festival on January 28, 2020 has garnered local and international recognition and continues to entice an increasing number of visitors from within the UAE and globally. This year, we rejoice 10 years of the rich legacy of this cultural and artistic spectacle, which would not have been possible without the non-stop support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

The tenth edition represents an essential milestone in the success of this special event, which continues to garner vast global interest by presenting marvelous lighting shows that embody the spirit and culture of Sharjah and live up to the expectations of visitors and residents. It additionally contributes to the promotion of Sharjahs tourism, cultural and heritage attractions in an innovative way. Above all, it highlights our dedication to continue our efforts to take Sharjah's tourism achievements to new heights, while also promoting the emirate as a desired destination for family tourism, HE Al Midfa, added.

The places of Sharjah Light Festival 2020 encompass the University City Hall, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah Police Academy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah Mosque, Sharjah City Municipality, Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, Al Majaz Waterfront, Masjid Al Noor, Al Qasba, Omran Taryam Square, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Al Hamriyah Area Municipality, Al Wousta TV Building (Al Dhaid), University of Sharjah- Kalba, House of Justice - Khorfakkan, Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport - Khorfakkan and Masjid Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmad Al Qasimi (Dibba Al-Hisn).

This years edition of the competition will see the return of the Food Truck Zone opposite University City Hall and in front of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Among the new sites that have been added to the festival this year are the University of Sharjah, Sharjah Mosque, the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, the Omran Taryam Square, the Al Wousta TV Building (Al Dhaid), the House of Justice - Khorfakkan and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Khorfakkan. Daily shows will be held in all places from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm throughout weekdays, and from 6:00 pm to 12:00 midnight on Thursdays and Fridays.

The 2018 edition of the Sharjah Light Festival attracted 1 million visitors, who gathered to watch 20 marvelous light shows. The 2019 edition of the festival attracted more than 1,200,000 visitors, recording an increase of 20 per cent in contrast to 2018, to revel in spectacular light shows presented over 11 days by global artists. The festival underscored the significance of family ties and cultural values and traditions of the Emirate of Sharjah throughout 17 distinct areas in the emirate.

The festival this year is sponsored and supported by a range of local authorities, namely Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Police Headquarters, Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority, Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, Bee'ah, Al Majaz Amphitheatre, Department of Civil Aviation, Sharjah Airport, Sharjah Institute for Heritage, University City of Sharjah, American University of Sharjah, University of Sharjah, Sharjah Department of Town Planning and Survey. In addition, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority will be the media sponsor.

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