Season of Light to brighten Helsinki in early January

  Helsinki will celebrate the beginning of the year 2010 with two light-art installations by Mikki Kunttu in the Season of Light event. These installations will shroud both the Senate Square and the Parliament House in a multitude of colours, turning the Helsinki city centre into a scene of a bright event that contrasts with the darkest season of the year. At the Senate Square, “Reflections” will be a journey to the past and fantasy. The square and its surrounding buildings will return to 1852, when St. Nicholas’ Church (today Helsinki Cathedral) was inaugurated. History blending with fantasy, vines will grow on the cathedral’s pillars, and the cathedral walls will be the backdrop to an interplay of lights, colours, shadows and textures. The visual effects will be accompanied and enhanced by sound effects created by composer and sound designer Kasperi Laine. “Oratoribus” at the Parliament House will highlight the timeless and venerable character of the building, exploring its details and accentuating the building’s special place in the Finnish psyche. Reflections and Oratoribus will debut on Friday, January 1, 2010 at 8 pm (20:00). On subse-quent days through January 6, Reflections will play at 30-minute intervals from 5 pm to 11 pm (17:00-23:00) and Oratoribus nonstop from 4 pm to 9 am (16:00-9:00). The Season of Light pays close attention to energy consumption, primarily making use of the energy efficient LED technology. With the event, Helsinki seeks to become the city of light of the Baltic region. The Season of Light is organized by the City of Helsinki in cooperation with Helsinki’s Energy company Helsingin Energia. More at http://www.seasonoflight.fi [1]   [1] http://www.seasonoflight.fi/