Luminara on the Map – A week of neighbourhood illumination

VICTORIA, BC, CANADA (June 7, 2010)

A new form is emerging for the Luminara Lantern Festival tradition in Victoria, following community consultations in February and March 2010. Without funding this year to produce the large scale, one night event that it has been in the past ten years, Luminara organizers and supporters are looking to a more wide-spread, neighbourhood based celebration in the week of September 18th – 25th.

“We’ve been meeting with community centres, cultural groups and individuals who really care about Luminara, and the enthusiasm to try something new has been wonderful. We envision it as a quieter event in a way, closer to home and more available for children and families. Of course there will also be moments of the traditional Luminara hoopla and excitement!” said Luminara Festival Director Karin Scarth.

Local community centres will host lantern-making sessions for children and adults. Instructions and materials for simple lanterns to carry and also workshops for more complex installations will be offered. People will be encouraged to make a lantern or display to decorate their own house, yard, balcony or window for the week. Community centres will have neighbourhood maps where participants can add their location, creating a map of lights that people can go out and see in their own area. Depending on funding, plans also include the creation of a travelling Luminara procession including costumed characters and musicians that will animate different neighbourhoods on special nights through the week.

The Inter-Cultural Association has continued to search for funding for this popular event, after finding last year that several significant funders would be unable to continue. New funding cuts, one as recently as late May, have meant that plans for the year will have to be modular, with additions and revisions according to the level of funding that is confirmed. Funding confirmations may not come in until as late as September in some cases.

“We hope people will understand that this is a transition year, not only in the format of the event but in what we are able to fund,” said ICA Executive Director Jean McRae. “People from all over Greater Victoria have enjoyed the event as it has been for the past ten years, and we hope that will translate into a willingness to give the festival time to evolve into a new tradition. We need to start small. This first year holds a lot of unknowns for us with the uncertainty around funding, but we are committed to working toward a community celebration that is inclusive, sustainable and inspiring.”

Community workshops are planned so far in the neighbourhoods of James Bay and Fairfield, with central map locations in these areas. Many more groups and neighbourhoods are interested in being involved and plans are still being discussed. Processional events are planned for around the city, more details on times and places coming soon!

Contact:
Karin Scarth, Luminara Festival Director
250-388-4728 ext 129 cell 250-208-3821
kscarthicavictoria [dot] org