Sixth edition of Ghent Light Festival kicks off: 'It's always a highlight for our city'

The sixth edition of the Ghent Light Festival starts on Wednesday at 19.00. Until Sunday evening, visitors to the city can enjoy a 7.2 km route along works of art and light spectacles.

Artists have painted historic cranes at the Nieuwe Dokken, and laser projections create an impressive effect. This is one of the many works of art along the route, which also runs through the centre of Ghent.

"The Light Festival is always a highlight for our city," says mayor Mathias De Clercq of socialists Open VLD. "We are once again expecting hundreds of thousands of visitors." In 2021, the festival attracted 810,000 visitors.

On Wednesday evening, De Clercq and city councillor Bram Van Braeckevelt of Flemish green party Groen will officially open the Festival of Lights by unveiling the artwork Jacob the Wise Snowman.

De Clercq is calling on people to come by public transport or bicycle, or to use a park and ride facility if driving.

The festival is free of charge. The trail can be started at any artwork, although there is a fixed walking direction. Visitors can navigate online, pick up a map at one of the four information points or print it out at home.

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