‘The Deep’ is this year’s theme for Burning the Clocks (Illustration created by Graham Carter for the event).
When: 21st December 2013 from 6.30pm
Where: Brighton, East Sussex
£: Free to watch. To take part in the parade you will need to buy a lantern kit costing £20, the kit will include a wristband for the parade.
What is it?
For almost two decades now, Burning the Clocks has been a special date in Brighton’s calendar. The event takes place on the winter solstice with a fantastical procession bringing magic to the streets. The annual parade of luminous lanterns attracts around 2,000 participants and over 20,000 spectators.
Held on the shortest day (or longest night) of the year, this growing tradition marks the passing of time by ‘burning the clocks’ and welcoming in the new sun. This popular event aims to turn the spotlight away from the more commercial side of Christmas and light up the darkest of winter nights.
Burning the Clocks was created by Same Sky in 1994 as a way for the whole community to enjoy the festive season, regardless of faith or creed. Each year a new theme, related to the concept of time, is incorporated into the event to bring new and exciting elements.
Around 2,000 people from the local community take part in the parade (Photo: Ray Gibson)
This year’s theme is The Deep and refers to the fathomless depths of the sea, to the unknown and unimagined, and to the deep feeling that the oceans and seas evoke in the human spirit. Burning the Clocks is a lively celebration of the turning of the year but also a time for reflection and thoughts. Who are we? Where have we been? Where are we going?
On the 21st December, the parade will leave from New Road at 6.30pm and arrive at Madeira Drive at approximately 7.15pm. The parade route will include North Street, Ship Street and East Street, before reaching the seafront and Madeira Drive for the finale. For the finale, the lanterns are passed onto a bonfire and a fireshow begins. The handmade paper and willow lanterns from the parade are filled, symbolically, with the hopes and dreams of the participants. This year, as part of The Deep theme, a giant boat will carry the lanterns into the fire.
The event finale consists of a spectacular fireshow (Photo: Ray Gibson)
The event should finish at around 8pm. Spectators can view the fireshow from Madeira Drive and the Upper Terrace on Marine Parade. Please be aware that the finale will contain loud music and pyrotechnics.
As part of the event, Same Sky carries out free lantern-making community workshops for disadvantaged local people, encouraging them to make something they are proud of, fire them up with creative passion and bring them together with their community through the shared experience of art.
This year everyone can get involved with Burning the Clocks. Same Sky are offering a range of experiences that can be bought on their buzzbnk page in exchange for a donation. If you would like to get involved you can donate anything from a few minutes of your time to £1000. Why not donate some money and receive your own customised lantern? How about a buying a VIP view of the event or being the person who lights the bonfire? Visit www.buzzbnk.org to see how you can get involved.
More info: www.samesky.co.uk/events/burning-the-clocks