City of Blinding Lights

Spring Lights Illumination

Spring Lights Illumination photo by Hannah Munday

Vancouver has just seen its annual Cherry Blossom Festival take place in the city. Heralded as a time of renewal and togetherness, the festival celebrated the coming of spring and the inherent beauty of nature that becomes so apparent with the blooming of these spectacular flowers.

Spring Lights Illumination photo by Hannah Munday

I was lucky enough to witness one of the festival’s most beautiful events, the Spring Lights Illumination. Proof that we can indeed be at one with nature, this event showcased not only the beauty of the cherry blossom trees under the night sky but also local Vancouver artists with dance performances and light installations within the trees. Located in Queen Elizabeth Park, the event featured an incredible light show amongst the branches of the cherry blossoms, utilizing both lanterns and spotlights to cast changing colours and patterns on the texture of the blossoms. The spectacular light show was envisioned by Hfour and saw the enchanting lanterns of Ari Lazer perfectly enhance the natural beauty of the trees, highlighting their mysticism. This coupled with performances choreographed by Heather Laura Gray created an atmosphere where one could almost feel the powerful energy of the trees.

Spring Lights Illumination photo by Hannah Munday

The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival’s website notes that this festival is one centred around community and the acceptance of one another, stating “throughout our city, and around the world, there are no strangers under these cherry trees.” The Spring Lights Illumination perfectly communicated this, creating an environment of peace and acceptance beneath the branches of the blossom as well as a universal acceptance and yielding to the beauty of nature and its power to unite us.

Spring Lights Illumination photo by Oliver Hansen

words and photography by Hannie Munday
additional photography by Ollie Hansen

by Hannie Munday

Website