Lead Pic: Simon Dack
Following the success of Burning the Clocks 2022, event organisers Same Sky has invited more community groups – including the Ledward Centre – and expanded the parade by 40% for its celebration of the winter solstice in Brighton on Thursday, December 21.
Burning the Clocks brings the city together to celebrate the shortest day of the year and provide an antidote to the excesses of Christmas with a different theme every year. This year’s theme is Clocks, inspired by the changing perception of time’s passage after the event’s return last winter, which will be reflected in the lanterns made by the community for the parade.
Artistic Director John Varah said: “Burning the Clocks is having its great reset, passing the time with ticking distractions, delightful nonsense, and a thousand illuminations; to render a few dark, silent hours even stiller.”
Over 2,000 Brighton & Hove residents with their handmade lanterns are due to take part in the parade and more than 28,000 people are expected to line the streets to watch the parade and the end of procession fireworks from the beach. The Parade begins on New Road and finishes on Brighton seafront near the end of the ZipWire.
New community groups involved in the lantern parade for the first time include Sikhs of Sussex, Tarner Community Project, Manor Road Gym in East Brighton, Unified Rhythm, Rap ‘n’ Rhyme, Ledward Centre, Afrori, BARCO, Hummingbird and Making our Mark from Whitehawk. They will be joined by regular parade participants from Woodcraft Folk and local Guides and Scouts groups.
Unique new puppets and lanterns are developed every year for the annual parade and this year the Same Sky artists will present a range of pieces that will come together and be assembled on the beach to reveal a remarkable antique timepiece.
Same Sky Executive Producer, Rob Batson, said: “We’re excited to bring our biggest event and lantern parade to the streets of Brighton this year. It’s going to be spectacular with some incredible new puppets, music and performances from every corner of our wonderful community.”
Same Sky is also looking for volunteers to join the parade and support the bucket donations team and also to support the lantern passing on the beachfront. If you have a few hours to spare on the evening of the 21 December, register your interest here.
You can support Burning the Clocks by volunteering or supporting their crowdfunding campaign here.