Amnéville Zoo has announced the third edition of the Luminescences festival which will take place from Saturday 19 October 2024 until Saturday 29 March 2025.
This edition of the festival is inspired by Asia and has a new Magic Indies theme, with majestic lanterns, legendary creatures and illuminated landscapes, to guide visitors on what they describe as "a true sensory and poetic journey". Teams have been busy creating an unprecedented trip to South Asia, where exotic landscapes, fairy jungles and spiritual experiences are mixed.
Visitors are invited to immerse themselves "in a luminous journey through enchanting worlds, where each space tells a new story, combining magic, traditions and dazzling creations. Let yourself be carried away by the diversity of the paintings, each more spectacular than the last, for a unique immersive experience in the heart of Asian magic."
The spaces referred to in this festival include the Magic Garden where the richness of traditions and the daily life of Southeast Asia can be discovered and Spirits of the Jungle, described as a wild and mysterious world where visitors will have the opportunity to travel a path, usually closed to the public, in the heart of the Asian tropical jungle. This enchanting space is inspired by the famous Jungle Book, and guests can follow the adventures of Mowgli throughout.
The Colours of India, inspired by the magic of India's Holi festival, celebrates the arrival of spring and symbolises the victory of good over evil, while the Full Moon Party is described as "a vibrant universe inspired by the famous Thai festival. In this festive space, fluorescent paintings illuminate the night, creating a festive atmosphere where magic and energy meet."
In the Sacred Heritage, Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim temples are to be found, while elephants watch around gigantic banyan trees, sheltering Buddhas, lotuses and the benevolent presence of the god Ganesh.
The Luminescences course has been designed to minimise its environmental impact. All lighting, including safety lighting, uses LED technology with a consumption of only 150 kWh per evening. Over the five months of the event, this represents only 1.2% of the zoo's annual consumption. The decorations are made from recycled materials, such as wood scraps and broken equipment, and the coatings use natural elements such as sand or crushed bark. In addition, the lanterns of previous editions are reused, re-woven and repainted, thus avoiding waste except when they are too damaged.
The new forest course was designed to preserve the surrounding nature. No trees were felled, and the route bypasses the trees and adapts to the terrain. The path is permeable, allowing for the natural absorption of water, reinforcing the zoo's commitment to the preservation of the environment and biodiversity.
The Luminescences festival at Amnéville Zoo has established itself as an essential winter event for the Grand-Est region of France. The zoo is located in the Moselle valley, between Metz and the Luxembourg border, in the town of Amnéville, France.
The festival will be open every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 19 October 2024 until 29 March 2025. It will also be open every day during school holidays.
Entry to the festival is free with the purchase of a zoo entry ticket.
Further information on the festival and on entrance prices can be found at www.zoo-amneville.com
