• Introducing Norwich's inaugural night-time light festival, presented by Norwich Business Improvement District and curated by Alex Rinsler, creative producer and artist, co-creator of 'Lightpool' – revamped Blackpool illuminations
• Expect to see large-scale projections transforming medieval architecture and public spaces across the city alongside installation and fire performance
• The theme love and belonging is in part inspired by Norwich and Norfolk's unique family tradition of Valentine's Eve and Jack Valentine and bringing the more serious message of tackling loneliness to power social change through a series of Love Light Labs
• Projection Teknik – Melbourne based artists, known for creating atmospheric projection installations, will transform Norwich Cathedral
• Bilbobasso – French pyrotechnic street theatre performers bring their widely acclaimed production 'Amor' to Norwich. Expect to see sparks fly as the company present a show mixed with Argentinian Tango, music and fire.
• Halo by Illumaphonium features sculptural light-up towers of haloes created to make musical sounds as they are physically interacted with by audiences, from musician and inventor Michael Davis.
• Offering an alternative proposition to the commercial Valentine's celebrations, see the Valentine's Parade (14th Feb) from Norwich Cathedral to The Forum featuring Lumidogs – pampered pooches with light up costumes, a lantern procession plus acclaimed French street performers Picto-Facto
• Norwich Market becomes Norwich Night Market on Valentine's Eve 

Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) invite people from across the UK to discover Norwich in a new light with a brand-new night-time light festival, Love Light Norwich.

With the theme of love and belonging, the festival celebrates art and innovation in Norwich city centre during Valentine's weekend. Expect to see an illuminating trail of light art works, extraordinary installations, stunning performances and interventions providing a captivating trail of discovery, accessible to all and free to attend.

Featuring UK and international artists the Festival will transform the city against a backdrop of Norwich's renowned medieval architecture and landmarks.

Love Light Norwich Festival Artistic Director, Alex Rinsler, is known internationally for creating large-scale outdoor sculptures and spectacles and is no stranger to making an impact.

Communities and celebration are at the heart of Alex's work; he launched the Lightpool Festival in Blackpool, awarded the Large Tourism Event award at the Lancashire Tourism Awards in 2017.

Alex said, “It's fantastic that Love Light Norwich will launch in February, with support of public funding from Arts Council England. The Valentine's weekend can be a time when people feel isolated, as well as in love. We want to create an event that will welcome everyone and speak to Norwich's unique heritage and unparalleled architectural richness”.

Love Light will take place over three nights between 13 - 15 February 2020.

Love Light Norwich Festival is supported using public funding by Arts Council England and sponsored by Norwich City Council, Norfolk County Council, The Forum Trust and Aviva. #LoveLightNorwich

Lovelightnorwich.co.uk | Twitter @visitnorwich #cityofstories | Instagram.com/visitnorwich | facebook.com/visitnorwichcityofstories

Notes to Editors

About Norwich BID

Established in November 2012 the Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) is run for local businesses by local businesses. The BID covers a defined area of Norwich where businesses plan how to improve their trading environment, identifying additional projects and services that develop the city centre and trade. Investment in the BID area aims to enhance and promote the local environment for businesses, employees, customers. The overarching vision is to; Make a clear positive impact on the vitality of our city centre and the success of the businesses within it.

This exciting project is the vision of Norwich BID and Stefan Gurney, Executive Director said, “We believe that arts and culture play a critical role in shaping and promoting Norwich nationally and internationally, as an exciting and welcoming destination for residents and visitors alike. This is why we're investing to help create Love Light Norwich – a bright new festival to launch during Valentine's Weekend 2020. The festival will enliven the city and will and kick start a vibrant year of events in Norwich”.

The project has seen key city centre organisations and partners working collaboratively together including Norwich City Council, Norfolk County Council, The Forum Trust and Norwich University of the Arts.

About Love Light

Love Light is a new family-friendly light festival, featuring free installations, projections and performance across the city centre at night during Valentine's weekend, 13 – 15 February 2020.

In Victorian times Valentine's Eve was celebrated almost as much as Christmas in Norwich with shop windows filled with trinkets and gifts for loved ones. Jack Valentine is a cheeky mythical mischievous character who leaves gifts for all of the family, quite often with a trick attached! The full story of both Valentine's Eve and Jack Valentine can be found in the Museum of Norwich at the Bridwell.