Harrogate may be famed for its waters but audiences will be wowed in June as the Spa town is transformed by fire in a spectacular three-night display.
‘The Fire Garden’, set in Valley Gardens, promises an epic, magical experience with a flaming display of sculptures and installations on a grand scale.
Flaming flower-pots, cast iron sculpture and resonating music will entice audiences through the blazing landscape. This ‘fairground of fire’ aims to spark imaginations and is delivered by the renowned French street arts company, Cie Carabosse.
The event is the centrepiece of Harrogate International Festivals’ 50th anniversary celebrations and part of Yorkshire Festival 2016.
Cie Carabosse - a French collective of artists, musicians, actors and scenographers - deliver largescale installation-spectacles in public spaces across Europe.
The magical feast for the senses takes place from 8pm till late for three nights, from June 23 to 25, and is expected to attract thousands of visitors.
Sharon Canavar, CEO of Harrogate International Festivals, said: “We hope it’s a once in a lifetime experience. Valley Gardens is the most sumptuous and magical of settings, to set it ablaze with these installations promises an awe-inspiring atmosphere and an experience to remember. We’re really excited to be delivering the event thanks to the help of Harrogate Borough Council, who have had the vision and commitment to help make this happen.”
The display is co-commissioned by Yorkshire Festival 2016, the UK’s newest international festival which runs from June 16 - 3 July, and promises world premieres and UK exclusives with spectacular outdoor performances as well as music, theatre, arts and dance from theatres to clubs.
Yorkshire Festival’s Artistic Director, Matt Burman, said: “We are thrilled to be delivering Cie Carabosse in partnership with Harrogate International Festivals.”
The blazing garden is a sensational opening to the 50th anniversary year of Harrogate International Festivals, which also sees special one-off concerts from Van Morrison and Manchester Camerata in June.
The month-long Harrogate Music Festival then takes place throughout July, featuring world-class musicians including the John Wilson Orchestra, Sir Willard White, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra and the lauded folk sensation, The Unthanks.
It also delivers two major literature festivals - the world’s biggest celebration of crime fiction, the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival - and the boutique festival for book lovers, the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival.
Entry to the Fire Garden will be just £3 per adult, £1 for Under-18s, with Under-5s free.
For more information visit www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com Box Office: 01423 562 303.
For more information on Yorkshire Festival 2016 go to www.yorkshirefestival.co.uk or follow on Twitter @YorkshireFest or on Facebook yorkshirefestival
