00:00After more than 15 years of transforming the city's historic streets and landmarks,
00:05organisers have announced that this year's Lumiere Festival will be the last.
00:09Since its launch in 2009, Lumiere has become the UK's leading light art banal,
00:14drawing more than 1.3 million visitors to Durham over the years and inspiring similar festivals across the country.
00:21Its dazzling displays have illuminated Durham Cathedral, the River Weir and the city's cobbled streets,
00:27turning them into glowing works of art that have captivated audiences from around the world.
00:32But rising costs have finally caught up with the event.
00:35Artistic director Helen Marridge, who leads the producing company Artichoke,
00:40said the first Lumiere cost around £650,000, while this year's event will total around £2.5 million.
00:48She said after such a long and successful run, the festival had become part of Durham's identity,
00:53sparking joy in conversation and showing how public art can bring people together, even in the cold of November.
01:00Over the years, Lumiere has done more than light up the city.
01:03It's generated more than £43 million for the local economy, according to Durham County Council leader Andrew Husband.
01:10Local businesses say its absence will be felt across the city.
01:13Paul Howard, manager of the Durham Business Improvement District, said,
01:17Lumiere has been a vital boost for footfall and trade, calling its end a significant loss for both business and the city's cultural calendar.
01:25He added that work is already underway with partners to ensure Lumiere's legacy continues in some form,
01:31perhaps through new or smaller scale events that build on the festival's success.
01:36City of Durham Parish Council has also called for the money previously used to fund Lumiere
01:41to be redirected into other arts and culture initiatives across the year.
01:45Chair Susan Walker said the festival has been absolutely terrific for Durham and the wider county,
01:51helping to put the city firmly on the cultural map.
01:54But she added it's vital that the investment isn't lost and instead used to keep arts and creativity thriving through the region.
02:01But what do locals think of the recent announcement and what would they like to see next in the city?
02:06I think it's a real shame that it's been cancelled.
02:10It follows a pattern of councils not funding arts projects.
02:15I know that funding has also been revoked for Pride as well.
02:18It seems to be community driven things that are being revoked and not funded.
02:23And I think they're really important.
02:24I think Lumiere brought 1.5 million visitors to Durham over its course.
02:29So it's clearly helping the economy, helping the community.
02:32And yet the funding has been pulled. It's a real shame.
02:35I think Durham's gone downhill a lot with the shops closing, a lot of them.
02:41But I think the council need to look at what they're putting the money towards.
02:46Because there's things like this where everyone goes to.
02:49Like it's a nice family day out and nice walks and stuff.
02:51But there isn't much to do.
02:53There's a lot of little local coffee shops.
02:55But like the bigger shops, because it is a big city, there's not much to do in it.
02:59Like it's a small town.
03:00But there's not many people over the place where they could have fun.
03:01There's no options there.
03:02Like a big city.
03:03But it was there.
03:04And I think the city.
03:05Well, that's what I meant.
03:06Like for the city, there's a lot of my city and the city.
03:07That's where I think the city is headed to town.
03:08And I'm going to be on the new suite.
03:09It's a lot of town.
03:10For the city, I'm going to be on the mountain.
03:11And I'm going to be a little bit.
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