Once a year the museums, galleries and artistic institutions of Paris leave their doors open into the wee hours of the night for a nuit blanche, literally “white night”- a French idiom which means a night without sleep. This year’s Nuit Blanche takes its inspiration from the seine and the creative energies which flow through and spill out of the city. The festival will expand beyond Paris, all the way through Havré and Rouen, for the second consecutive year. On the third of June, Paris and its 24 adjacent contributing cities invite all to join in artistic festivities, to participate in large-scale immersive installations, and to experience art all night long. This year’s Nuit Blanche not only celebrates art, life, and joie de vivre, but will also hold space to focus on ecological and sociological points of interest preceding and foreshadowing the 2024 Summer Olympics which will be held in Paris.
Some not to miss installations will include; Ludmila Rodrigues and Mike Rijnierse’s Sunrise Paris, a glowing red orb floating near L’île Saint Louis, Rita d’Albert’s Lucha Vavoom, a choreographed lucha libre performance all the way from Los Angeles, and Maïder Fortuné’s Licorne, an entrancing and enchanting video installation which will be projected along the Quai de Seine, amongst many many more.
Inspired by her many travels and vibrant lust for life, this year’s creative director, Kitty Hartel, has organized La Rumba at Hôtel de Ville, a sort of cultural street-party/circus full of wonderfully fun and fantastical performances which will begin at 7pm. More than 2,000 colorful costumes will be handed out to children ages 6-10 to revel in the celebration alongside giant colorful dancing yetis, Chinese acrobats, and an exciting lineup of musical performances.
This year’s Nuit Blanche sounds like less of a “white” night and more akin to an explosion of color and excitement. Absolutely not to miss!
For more information on Paris Nuit Blanche 2023 please visit https://www.paris.fr/nuit-blanche-2023
