00:01Liverpool's famous waterfront is glowing once again as River of Light returns to the city,
00:07transforming it into a dazzling outdoor art gallery.
00:10Of course, it's our eighth year of doing River of Light and delivering it and it's just fabulous.
00:15It's a free event for everybody, whether there's people visiting the city or whether it's for our residents here in the city and the region as well.
00:21So people love it. The feedback that we get is amazing. And this year, the theme is Science of Light.
00:27This year, 10 large scale artworks will illuminate a three kilometre trail from the Royal Albert Dock through the Pierhead and into Liverpool One,
00:35all celebrating the theme, the Science of Light.
00:39So many people come to this festival, you know, it's a free event in the city centre for like 10 days.
00:43So it's just like for a lot of people might be like a great way into some of these topics.
00:49Then, you know, we hear about it all the time. AI, civilians, blah, blah, blah.
00:52And so, you know, like it's quite hard to think to form your own opinion.
00:56So hopefully works like this kind of open up those conversations.
00:59Without it seeming too like scary or technical, because it's got that playful facade to it.
01:04Yeah, kind of 80s TV show sort of facade to it.
01:07Each piece takes inspiration from science, technology or nature.
01:11And artists have teamed up with the city's incredible scientific and innovation community to bring these ideas to life.
01:19The artists that we've worked with range from the US, from Canada, Australia, Spain and also local here to the UK as well in terms of artists.
01:28And the scientists from the University of Liverpool have been involved in working with a range of them.
01:33The festival runs until Sunday the 2nd of November with quiet hours on select days for visitors with additional sensory needs.
01:41So we've got free evenings where people who are neurodiverse or who just don't like loud noises and large crowds can enjoy the installations during the quieter time.
01:52So if people go to physical Liverpool.com, they can see all the quiet hours that they may want to visit instead.
01:59But yeah, that's been a real staple for us and feedback that we had a couple of years ago that we've just kept now.
02:05And it's really enjoyed by many people making sure that the event really is truly inclusive.
02:10Last year, River of Light attracted record breaking crowds and boosted the local economy by nearly £19 million.
02:17Organisers are expecting another busy year too.
02:20Last year, it was just £19 million of economic impact for a sector as well that is still struggling.
02:27It's not just Covid, yes, we're a few years after now, but the cost of living crisis as well.
02:32Getting people out and into the city, again, both visitors but also locals as well.
02:36Having a fun time with friends and family.
02:39And that's what's so lovely at River of Light when we see people out enjoying their own city and spending time together.
02:47It's good for the mind and it's also good for business.
02:50And so it's an event that really brings the two together.
02:53So if you're planning a visit, plan ahead, wrap up warm and prepare to be dazzled.
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