Since I’ve been for the first time to LightNight in 2012, I’ve been attending the event each year. So, today, I’m going to share my thoughts and some pictures from LightNight 2019. LightNight is an annual event in Liverpool, when museums and art galleries, along Universities open their doors for exciting new activities, talks, crafts, and so on.
I’ve made a plan with what we can see and set off after work. We got to the city centre at around 6pm, just in time to park and head out to the Marks & Spencer in the centre to see the first representation of The Great British Baraat.
The Great British Baraat was a street dance and performance of the ritual of Indian marriage. That is what the Baarat means. The dance lasted for about 20 minutes and it was lovely to see so many people taking part.
It was much more complicated than I would have expected as well. So I was delighted with this. The music was lively and different and I’ve enjoyed that as well.
After seeing the dance, we went to St. George’s Hall for the Mersey Hub Brass. They played music in the Great Hall. Mersey Hub Brass represents an alliance of four local music education hubs around the Liverpool and Merseyside.
The music was splendid. I wish we had more time, but we had other things to see, so we’ve stayed only for a couple of songs before heading out to the next on our list: World Museum. The event was more child focused, so we didn’t waste any time there and we headed out to the Liverpool Medical Institution. Their displays and talks are always fantastic.
First we had a look at the Victorian medical instruments on display. These were used for brain surgery.
There was also a book with details and a lady that was doing her best to answer our questions.
In another room it was a demonstration of the preparations the doctors and nurses take for and after surgery, with a view on highly contagious tropical diseases, like Ebola. Liverpool is a very important centre for the study of tropical diseases, that started in the Victorian period or even a bit earlier (can’t remember now, sorry).
The doctor and the nurses explained how they are taking off their protective clothing after surgery. It involves changing wellies for clogs and clogs for new clogs, removing three surgical gloves, masks. Someone is observing them to make sure they don’t do a mistake which might mean they can get contaminated. It’s very serious and very complicated. I’m so happy I was able to see this. It was a really fascinating insight into medical care.
We passed by the Bombed Out Church where the food stalls were. I had something to eat before and I was a bit annoyed, because there were so many stalls with vegan options that sounded amazing. Next time I’m eating there.
At the Museum of Liverpool it was a talk about Early Settlers and the Calderstones. I think archaeology is interesting, so I liked this talk. At the end of the talk I had the chance to see a small stone brought in by the professor. I’m not sure my husband was very keen* on an archaeology talk (as in he was not interested at all and finds it boring, but I was the one that made the plan and I do like it, so…).
The evening finished with Rhythms of the Candomblé Orixás, music and dance. The performance was meant to take one hour, but after 30 minutes there were a few drops of rain. We’ve decided to go, but the rain didn’t start, so it’s a bit of a shame.
I’ve had a lovely time and I learned a few things, so LightNight was a success, as it always is.
It sounds SUCH a fun event Anca! I would love to be there for it!
Wow, you worked a lot of interesting things into your visit! I would have enjoyed most everything you saw. The Victorian medical exhibit goes right along with that book I read last month, The Butchering Art. I’m also fascinated to learn about diseases such as Ebola. What types of songs did the brass ensembles play?
They were singing classical music. It was lovely. I think you would have enjoyed the medical exhibit too.
This looks like such a fun and fascinating event, Anca. So diverse and it also looks fun and colorful as well as extremely interesting.