On Saturday 8th February, after being postponed from its original
December date due to storms, Dover’s Winter Light Up finally illuminated
the town in a spectacular celebration of community, creativity, un
light. Thousands of residents gathered to take part in the
much-anticipated event, with hundreds carrying their beautiful hand made
star lanterns for the grand procession.
The highlight of the evening was the spectacular lantern procession,
created by Future Foundry which saw hundreds of handmade star lanterns
carried and crafted by the Dover community via public and school
workshops, plus 12 magnificent, 4 metre tall giant animal lanterns,
created by Future Foundry’s talented artist team.
The procession was led by The Forge youth arts club, Mayor of Dover,
Cllr Ed Biggs, Leader of Dover District Council, Cllr Kevin Mills, Port
of Dover Community Directors Heather Jones and Stuart Jaenicke.
Speaking at the finale the Mayor of Dover said ‘It is an uplifting
experience to see the snaking column of huge glowing creatures mythical
and real, new and old, leading thousands of Dovorians in this magical
event to set the flame of renewal alight. The pounding of the drums,
flickering lights and enchantment on faces fill our hearts and encourage
us to think hopefully of the new year and the coming of Spring
The festivities had started earlier in the day, with a variety of
workshops at St. Mary’s Parish Centre and the Riverside Centre. Craft
activities, from winter head-dress making to origami and pebble mosaics
ran alongside dance workshops featuring classic styles from the 1920s to
the 1960s.
As night fell, Pencester Gardens transformed into a glowing hub of
festivity with the Winter Light Up Programme organised by Dover Town
Council. The event featured a vibrant youth market showcasing
handcrafted goods by The Forge young creatives, along with entertainment
from DJs, fire performers, dance acts and Dover’s very own LGBTQIA+
izklaidētāji, the Anxious Pickle Club.
Dover’s Winter Light Up will take place again on December 6th 2025, ar
lantern making workshops for the general public taking place on the 29th
and 30th of November and 3rd December. So put those dates in your diary
as this event keeps getting bigger and better each year!
For further information, interview requests or high-res press images,
please email office@futurefoundry.org.uk for more details.
Future Foundry is Dover’s first NPO (National Portfolio Organisation),
which has brought three years of investment from Arts Council England,
contributing to developing the procession and training for all the
artists involved. They are proud to present their biggest big-build
procession yet.
Future Foundry made 12 Giant Wildlife Lanterns and Chandeliers that
reach over 4 metres in height, developed by 8 of their artists with over
500 hours of sculpting using nothing but bamboo, willow sticks and
tissue paper. Future Foundry developed the technique of putting
puppeteers inside the lanterns, to enable the beautiful lantern
characters to dance.
Future Foundry artists worked with the following schools and community
groups to produce over 500 handmade star lanterns (vairāk 133 hours of
workshops): Schools and groups taking part included: River Primary
Skola, Guston C of E Primary School, St Richards Catholic Primary
Skola, Priory Fields School, St Mary’s C of E Primary School, St
Margarets at Cliffe Primary School, White Cliffs Primary School,
Charlton C of E Primary School, East Kent Sudbury, EKC Dover, 18th,15th,
13th Dover Scouts, The Forge, The New Creators, Little Artlings, Access,
Arts and Adventures, Dover Smart Project, River Lea Residential Home.
Fotoattēlu kredīts: Matt Wilson