The Enlighten festival (held in early March each year) has become a must see experience for us. We are still taking the cheap option and only going to the free events - but don't feel short-changed at all. The Parliamentary Triangle explodes with light, with colour, with music and with quirky fun.
Over the last two Sunday Selections I have shared some of the magic, but there was sooooo much more.
Please come with me - and settle in for a looooong ride with a lot of photos. As always photos will embiggen when clicked upon.
This year we arrived a bit before dark, and wandered down to see what was happening. Lots.
At one of our first stops we came across Gastropodia by the Kinetic Theatre. Described as a giant hairy snail from a realm far away I thought it was a snail crossed with a llama. Ridden by something not unhobbitlike.
Don't ask me how, but they left a snail like trail behind them too.
Walking on.
The Night Noodle Markets. Better set up than last year, with more stalls and even some seating but we didn't partake. Which was perhaps just as well since there have been reports of food poisoning. Given the viley hot temperatures and limited facilities I am not surprised.
The National Portrail Gallery. The illuminations to all the buildings changed every minute or so.
Walking on, the trees were bathed in colour - which also changed..
Which brings us to Unuscornu by Airena. A scupture and a secret cubby.
I am not certain I would like a cubby in a unicorn's skull - but it was very, very popular. That v-shaped shadow was the door and adults and children alike crowded inside.
And these last two were from the National Art Gallery.
We are now about half way through - with more illuminated buildings and more colourful acts to share. Even by my standards this looks like being a photo heavy post and I will stop here. Would you like me toinfict share the rest in a later post? Sunday Selections this week will be devoted to the Balloon Spectacular - and there are lots and lots of photos of it too.
Over the last two Sunday Selections I have shared some of the magic, but there was sooooo much more.
Please come with me - and settle in for a looooong ride with a lot of photos. As always photos will embiggen when clicked upon.
This year we arrived a bit before dark, and wandered down to see what was happening. Lots.
At one of our first stops we came across Gastropodia by the Kinetic Theatre. Described as a giant hairy snail from a realm far away I thought it was a snail crossed with a llama. Ridden by something not unhobbitlike.
Don't ask me how, but they left a snail like trail behind them too.
Walking on.
The Night Noodle Markets. Better set up than last year, with more stalls and even some seating but we didn't partake. Which was perhaps just as well since there have been reports of food poisoning. Given the viley hot temperatures and limited facilities I am not surprised.
The National Portrail Gallery. The illuminations to all the buildings changed every minute or so.
Walking on, the trees were bathed in colour - which also changed..
Which brings us to Unuscornu by Airena. A scupture and a secret cubby.
I am not certain I would like a cubby in a unicorn's skull - but it was very, very popular. That v-shaped shadow was the door and adults and children alike crowded inside.
And these last two were from the National Art Gallery.
We are now about half way through - with more illuminated buildings and more colourful acts to share. Even by my standards this looks like being a photo heavy post and I will stop here. Would you like me to
Yes and I love to see the celebration. Enlighten? Is this in Sydney? So much work and beauty. Hot noodles sound wonderful in cold winter, not hot weather.
ReplyDeleteOops, saw Canberra.
Deletedonna baker: Canberra it is. Sydney has its version too, as does Melbourne. And probably other cities too. Noodles weren't the only thing on offer at the Night Noodle Markets, but it was too hot for me to face anything.
DeleteYes, yes, please share more. The photos are beautiful and I can only image how breathtaking it must be in person. If what you're sharing with us is only from the free events, I don't see how anyone could possible see everything without going every day for long hours. Just so much beauty to enjoy. Thanks for sharing it with us. So looking forward to the balloons too.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: There are probably less people at the ticketed events, but I really haven't been disappointed with the free ones. And thank you - another Enlighten post will go up next week sometime.
DeletePLEASE SHARE MORE!!
ReplyDeletefishducky: Thank you. Will do.
DeleteYes! Loved the snail! I like the lighted trees too and can think of nothing around here that is similar to this sight.
ReplyDeleteBookie: Quite a number of cities have illuminated festivals, and some day I will see some of the others. They are amazing.
DeleteLights & lanterns lighten our hearts! Thank you
ReplyDeleteCloudia: My pleasure.
DeleteLove the photos! You get the most amazing color to come out.
ReplyDeleteRiot Kitty: There was colour everywhere. On the ground, on the trees, in the sky...
DeleteEnjoyed this mind drift, thank you
ReplyDeleteMartin Kloess: It set my mind soaring.
DeleteWhat a spectacular walk...your photos are gorgeous but all that light and color must've been breathtaking in person. Thanks!
ReplyDeletee: It was a long walk, and sometimes a hard walk, but yes, breathtaking it was.
DeleteThe snails with riders, the cubby in the unicorned whale, the breathtaking building lights that change, the lit up trees, the lanterns---wow. I would love to have been there.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: I think we missed the first Enlighten festival, but we have been to all the others. And will keep going year after year. I wish you could have been there.
DeleteMe too, EC, seems magical. I love color, especially against dark backgrounds, like the night. And such imagination expressed in the creations. Like other worlds. I can imagine us laughing and taking photos and enjoying it immensely.
DeleteWhat a delightful display. Reminds me of some of the art at Burning Man here in the States. Glad you had a good time. It certainly looked like fun! Show more when you get a chance, please....
ReplyDeletemohaverat: Nice to see you here. It was fun. Lots of it. And more photos will follow.
DeleteThe photos are thrilling. There appears to be so much to experience at this festival. -wish I could pop over & visit it. :)
ReplyDeleteBea: I wish I could share it 'in the flesh' too.
DeleteLooking good very interesting stuff going on.
ReplyDeleteMerle......
Merlesworld: Lots and lots going on. And we didn't see all of it either. Not by a long way.
DeleteThe festival is certainly about colour... and your photos do not disappoint. I am so enjoying your posts about the Enlighten.
ReplyDeleteCountryMum: Thank you. What a lovely thing to say.
DeleteWow! So much eye candy! I have to say nothing like this EVER happens in Alabama. Is it OK to be a tiny bit jealous?
ReplyDeleteAnne in the kitchen: So much eye candy that I was overwhelmed. It is amazing - and I frequently suffer from blogger envy.
DeleteMust be amazing to see all that in person EC. You took great photos to share with us, loved them all.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: It was wonderful. Really wonderful.
DeleteOf course we would like to see more photos. I think the illuminated eucalyptus are great.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: I stood and watched the trees change colour several times. Loved it, though I think the blue was the most spectacular.
DeleteOh Wow, This is super cool! I would really enjoy this event! More photos!
ReplyDeleteGinger Dawn Harman: Thank you. More photos there will be.
DeleteI love seeing the photos...don't stop sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteLee: I am so glad I am not overwhelming people. And yes, there will be more photos. Probably many more.
DeleteSimply wondrous.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: Oh it was.
DeleteInflict away! I love seeing trees lit up like that. The llama-snail was certainly odd. :)
ReplyDeleteRiver Fairchild: The llama snail was my description and it was definitely odd. And if you embiggen the toes of the rider were peculiar too.
DeleteYes, please - more photos when you are able! We have nothing like this at all here.
ReplyDeleteThat llama hybrid looked like he might have wanted to eat your camera :)
jenny_o: You may be sorry. I took multiple hundred photos. You were right about the llama and my camera. I didn't feel safe.
DeleteOff topic: Have you read David Mitchells' The Bone Clocks? Right up your alley I think.
I just checked a review for The Bone Clocks and it does look like my cup of tea - thank you. There are so many books out there - I like narrowing the field with recommendations and reviews.
DeleteYes! Yes! Yes! MORE. This is fabulous to see. Your have photographed the lighting so well. Looking forward to seeing the balloons.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Adamson: More there will be. The Balloon Spectacular finishes this weekend, and I hope to get back to it. We tried on Wednesday (I got himself up more than five hours before his usual rising) but it was too windy and they didn't fly.
DeleteYes, please - I want to see more.
ReplyDeleteI adore it when buildings are illuminated like that. And the snail was so wonderful. I've never been to an event like that.
Lynn: I am so sorry we missed the first year, and hope not to miss another.
DeleteLooks impressive EC. I wouldn't necessarily eat at venues like that either.
ReplyDeleteMargaret-whiteangel: Thousands of people (literally) did eat there. And the poisoning seemed to affect only a few. Naturally there is no publicity about which stall had problems.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing photos of a wonderful event - yes, more please! I particularly like the smiling cat, but the lighting effects are beautiful.
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: Thank you (and everyone else). There will be more next week some time.
DeleteWhat a fantastic selection you shared with us here and all so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIf the cubby is in a unicorn's skull then that proves what we have always believed, there are unicorns or otherwise there wouldn't be a skull of one would there?
More photos please and look forward to the balloons on Sunday.
I think Canberra must do these events better than any other city in Oz.
P.S. Wonder how the snail trail was done? Interesting that is.
Mimsie: I hope there were unicorns. And dragons. So much.
DeleteThe snail trail was fascinating. And I haven't the remotest idea how it was done. It looked damp rather than slimy though.
Yes, this was a grand experience wandering through with you, so much so that I had to see them a second time. Now if you have some more, since most of can only see through your photos, please do share more! Enjoy your day.
ReplyDeleteKaren S.: There is MUCH more. Over two nights I took hundreds of photos. The smaller portion did too.
DeleteIt looked stunning!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn McBride: It was. And rather a lot of other superlatives.
DeleteWhat a wonderful, colorful festival! By all means, show us more.
ReplyDeleteStarting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: All that colour just transformed the area. And brought big smiles to so many faces.
DeletePlease share, I'm loving these!
ReplyDeleteThe Cranky: Will do. Balloons on Sunday, then more Enlighten, then probably more balloons.
DeleteYou can never share too many photos. They are ALWAYS great.
ReplyDeleteGrannie Annie: What a lovely thing to say. Thank you.
DeleteOh yes, please do! I am always delighted by the differences between the way we celebrate and decorate. Love the strange snail and the illuminated buildings and trees. :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: Seeing the similarities, seeing the differences is one of the biggest positives about blogging isn't it?
DeleteI'm not stepping in that snail's trail...just saying
ReplyDeleteAuthor R. Mac Wheeler: Wimp.
DeleteHi EC - I'd have like to have seen the snail's trail .. how imaginative and yughy - perfect for the kids. Their creativity is amazing - and yes I definitely want to see more - balloons 'n all ... Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: I wish I had thought to take photos of that trail... It was so imaginative, and so clever.
DeleteThat snail is fascinating.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: Isn't it? And fun.
DeleteVibrant communities see the value in investing in these free public events. And we are so lucky to get a taste of it through your lens EC. Thank you.
ReplyDeletecarol: I suspect there are financial benefits to be had from the 'free events' too. I am so very glad that my city has embraced the concept.
DeleteLove it! Especially the llama-snail with the hobbit jockey. I've been so up and down lately not much has interested me, but this looks like something I would've greatly enjoyed!
ReplyDeleteHBF: You have had a rough ride, and I am very glad to share something you would have enjoyed.
DeleteHeavenly, that's what I say, heavenly.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: Fun anyway. Brightly coloured fun.
DeletePlease share more!! I love these especially the color changing unicorn sculpture. We hardly have anything like this in the States. There were some color changing patterns on the buildings during the Super Bowl party in San Francisco recently but they weren't nearly as elaborate as these.
ReplyDeleteSue in Italia/In the Land Of Cancer: I am always blown away by the intricacy of the light display, and how often and seamlessly they change.
DeleteI love the lamps at the Night Noodle Market - how lovely! It reminds me a lot of the night markets in Taipeh in the early 80's - no idea whether it still is like that. I've heard that you have hot weather, so I would be careful with eating food from the markets as well. Although it's probably very tempting!
ReplyDeleteCarola Bartz: I liked the lanterns at the Night Noodle Market too - and wasn't tempted by the food. Too many different scents, clashing with each other. Plus crowds. And heat.
DeleteI love the beautiful symmetry in that first photo. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
A Cuban in London: I am glad. I like it too, and ummed and ahhed about including it.
DeleteWhat beautiful lights and imagination! If that was in the US, everything would have been cut, ripped, and trampled by nightfall.
ReplyDeletelotta joy: I don't think that there has been any damage at any of the Enlightens. One of the Giant Bunnies sprang a leak, but I think it was natural.
DeleteI just love these photos. There's nothing like that where I live, so it makes me feel like I've there with you. It would be great if you showed more at a later post. I looke forward to the balloon fest pictures on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteMyrna R.: Thank you. There will be balloons and there will be more Enlighten.
DeleteI would love to see more photos!! What a festival of lights, in a different way.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: Our local government described it as 'Culture and Creativity, illuminating the Capital'. For a change, they weren't talking in hyperbole.
DeleteInflict the rest? Yes please!
ReplyDeleteRiver: Lovely to see you here. And yes, there will be more Enlighten. Quite a lot more.
DeleteSuch wonderful shots!
ReplyDeleteladyfi: It is a wonderful festival.
DeleteI love that illuminations change periodically. How beautiful! And yes! More!
ReplyDeletemshatch: Each time you look at the projections there is more to see. I am not fond of crowds - but this event makes for happy and well behaved ones.
DeleteI agree with all your other fans and would love to see more. This looks such an imaginative event.
ReplyDeleteRelatively Retiring: Thank you. It is imaginative, clever and very well executed.
DeleteYes, more please.
ReplyDeleteTruly inspiring. Thank you!
Yolanda Renee: The photo I used for the first of your Write/Edit/Publish challenge came from an earlier Enlighten so yes, I do find it inspiring. And delightful.
DeleteThis has got to be one of the most enchanting festivals in the world. Thanks so much for sharing more pics of the magic. And of COURSE we want to see more. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous weekend.
Susan: Not sure on a world stage, but it is definitely one of our best. And all the institutions in the area stay open late, the Art Gallery, the Library, the Science and Technology Centre. Something for most people...
DeleteWhat a unique festival. Your photos are so colorful – I certainly would like to see more. You did not show too many pictures (you know how many I usually show – too many I guess.) I would have enjoyed the National Art Gallery with illuminations changing often – what a delight.
ReplyDeleteVagabonde: Thank you. It is a delightful festival, and the crowds reflect the pleasure. Happy chatter, and smiles everywhere. I haven't ever seen any anti-social behaviour either. I will finish posting about Enlighten next week, and the week after there will be more balloon photos - to go with tomorrow's Sunday Selections.
DeleteVery pretty. I could look at these photos all day long. Love 'em.
ReplyDeleteThe Happy Whisk: It really is an amazing event. Series of events.
DeleteCool beans. How goes the fruit-eating fun? Any neat autumn finds? Fruit and/or veggies?
DeleteThe Happy Whisk: Fruit is largely winding down. I am rediscovering (and loving) cauliflower and pumpkin. Soon it will be cool enough (I hope) for hearty soups too.
DeleteWoohoo for cauliflower and pumpkin/squash. Yesterday we ate half a head of cauli, roasted and spicy. Good gosh, love that.
DeleteHow about apples? Do you have those this time of year? I love apples. Actually, if I'm honest, there's not a fruit or vedge that I don't fancy.
I love them ALLLLLL !!!!
The Happy Whisk: We are just starting to get our new season apples. I do love them, but the first floury one puts me off for the season. My favourites are Jazz, Braeburn, and Pink Lady.
DeleteAwesome pictures. Made me feel like I was a part of it all. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteRasma Raisters: I am glad you enjoyed it, and hope you also like Part 2 (next week some time).
DeleteOh I nearly missed this post! Yes, more please. I am always wary of outdoor food stalls in a situation like this, so I don't blame you for not partaking.
ReplyDeleteI find the unicorn a bit freaky...
Alexia: The unicorn bothered me a bit too. I liked it, but...
DeleteWhat an amazing festival...thank you, thank you for sharing this....
ReplyDeleteDonna@LivingFromHappiness: It is an annual treat. Which we will not miss.
Delete