13.12.2006
The University of Brighton has become a decade sponsor of one of the
finest fiery spectacles this winter - Burning the Clocks. The ceremony
which takes place on 21 December is seen as an antidote to the excesses
of the commercial Christmas.
People gather together to make paper and willow lanterns to carry through the
city as a token for the end of the year. This year staff from the university
have created a spectacular lantern and will take part in the breathtaking procession.
The
lantern parade starts in the early evening and it regularly consists of around
1,000 participants and usually attracts audiences of 15,000 people from the region.
Dancers and a band from a group called Carnival Collective lead the parade.
The procession works its way through the old town before reaching Madeira Drive
along the seafront where people gather as the homemade lanterns are placed on
a bonfire. The parade concludes with a bang in a fantastic finale of fireworks
and music.
The event, which is organized by Same Sky, the Brighton-based community arts
group, began 12 years ago and provides a celebration of the winter Solstice and
marks the passing of one year to the next.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Julian Crampton said: "The university is proud
to help support this hugely popular community event which has become such an
important part of the Brighton calendar."
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
