Sana’a: City of Lights concludes its dazzling display

After 13 nights of spectacular audio-visual art projected onto Sana’a’s historic Bab al-Yemen, the French-German project called Sana’a: City of Lights has drawn to a close.

German Ambassador to Yemen Michael Klor-Berchtold said that the project sends a clear message about the importance of art in the old city of Sana’a. “Yemeni art has a long legacy extending for hundreds of years,” he said.

“The conclusion of the project coincides with a unique day for Germans—the 17th anniversary of the reunification of Germany,” said Klor-Berchtold.

Klor-Berchtold indicated the importance of art and recounted that before the reunification of Germany freedom of expression was repressed due to the dictatorial regime. Art is a form of democracy that broadens our understanding of issues through artistic expression, he said.

French ambassador to Yemen Gilles Gauthier gave a speech in Arabic, in which he praised the project as a symbol of Franco-German and Yemen friendship. He stressed that the relationship provides a good basis for continuing cooperation and friendship. 

Dr. Mohammed Abu Bakr al-Maflahi, Minister of Culture said that the project is the fruit of cooperation between Yemen, the European Union, and France and Germany in particular. He added that Sana’a City of Lights had ignited a genuine Franco-German and Yemen relationship.

The conclusion of the project once again saw Bab al-Yemen illuminated with images of Yemen’s cultural heritage set against a background of music from Akram Abdel-Rahman.
 
Sana’a: City of Lights was launched on September 9th in the French Cultural Center in Sana’a.

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