UCLan helps light up City as part of Lancashire Encounter Festival

27 September 2016

Event attracts thousands for performances, workshops and light procession

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has played its part in transforming Preston City centre into a cultural hub as part of the Lancashire Encounter Festival.

Taking part in the event’s Procession of Light, spectators saw UCLan staff and students join in the parade with Chinese lanterns and an animated float that used clever lighting to capture the spirit of Lancashire’s past machines in the age of sustainable energy.

The University also shared its cutting-edge research into the Sun as UCLan astrophysics researchers invited the public to explore Light and Dark through its “From the Earth to the Sun” installation. More than 530 people visited the pop-up exhibition in St George’s shopping centre to see our closest star as never before through the eyes of NASA’s satellite mission, the Solar Dynamic Observatory.

"The University of Central Lancashire is extremely proud to work with the Lancashire Encounter Festival in bringing world-class research in astrophysics to the regional community in an engaging and interactive way."

The University’s Executive Director of Research Professor Robert Walsh led the exhibition. He said: “The University of Central Lancashire is extremely proud to work with the Lancashire Encounter Festival in bringing world-class research in astrophysics to the regional community in an engaging and interactive way. This exhibition, through a captivating projection display, enabled the general public to see our closest star in a completely new light.”

UCLan’s Confucius Institute (CI) brought cultural diversity to the civic event. Nearly 50 international students and staff took part in the Procession of Light which threaded through the City on Saturday night. They wore ethnic Chinese costumes of vibrant colours while holding large red lanterns.

Director of the UCLan CI Feixia Yu commented: “All the students and staff were excited to be part of this joyful and fun-filled weekend. They said participating in the weekend's activities made them feel part of Preston. The UCLan CI plans to include more international students and staff in future sports and culture events, making them more at home in the city.”

Nearly 50 international students and staff took part in the Procession of Light
Nearly 50 international students and staff took part in the Procession of Light

"Taking part in the Procession of Light was an exhilarating experience. It was a great reward for all the hard work by the team of staff and students from across the University."

Professor Charles Quick, who brought together students and staff from the School of Art, Design and Fashion to also take part in the procession, said: “Taking part in the Procession of Light was an exhilarating experience. It was a great reward for all the hard work by the team of staff and students from across the University. I want to thank the Bower Group who very generously supplied the arctic lorry for 24 hours and a driver, all at no cost. They were very support in helping us realise our design.”

The People’s Canopy, a unique piece of mobile architecture specially designed for the city of Preston, made a reappearance for the event as the giant red canopies on wheels housed many of the weekend’s activities across the city.

The successful event, which attracted an estimated 28,000 visitors over the weekend, included performances, workshops, and installations. To view images of UCLan’s involvement visit the University’s Flickr gallery.