Light festival brings 'joy' to dark winter nights

Organisers behind a light festival that has taken over Birmingham city centre have promised to bring "joy" to the dark nights, with highlights including a flaming organ that can be played by members of the public.

Birmingham Light Festival runs until 15 February, between 18:00-22:00 GMT, with 13 artworks across the city.

Visitors can see the organ outside the Bullring as part of Forged, which also features hourly flame-fuelled performances by local spoken word artist Amerah Saleh and progressive metal band Insurgent.

"We've got a giant disco ball heart at The Mailbox. We've got a silent disco that's completely taken over Victoria Square and loads more," said festival director Alex Nicholson-Evans.

She added the festival had expanded in its second year and was getting "bigger and better".

"These are dark winter nights. We need something to brighten it up, we need some joy," she said.

"And I hope that's exactly what we're delivering."

Among the highlights this year are lightboxes in Oozells Square, each one pulsing to the real-time heartbeat of a local person, while the botanical gardens promises an interactive climate themed event.

Over at New Street, Love on the Line is inviting visitors to write a love letter to the city.

Visitors to the city will also be able to experience pop-up musical performances from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire students.

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