MyMiltonKeynes sponsors free City status festival

Global singing sensation, Sam Ryder, is set to put the exclamation point at the end of a spectacular four-day festival, designed to bring together Milton Keynes rich and diverse cultures to celebrate its official city status.

Organised by Milton Keynes Islamic Arts, Heritage & Culture (MKIAC) the City of Codes & Light Festival has received strong support from MyMiltonKeynes, including an investment of £10,000.

With backing from local cultural institutions, Arts Council England and Milton Keynes City Council, the four-day event will culminate on Saturday, October 8, with a free live music event headlined by Eurovision singing sensation, Sam Ryder, who finished second in this year’s competition with his hit song – Spaceman.

Held at venues across the city, the first event took place at Bletchley Park on Tuesday 4 October, where visitors saw the historic mansion illuminated by beautiful Islamic arabesque art. The 3D animations were created in collaboration by games design students from MK College and innovative media company, MBD.

Open to everyone, the family friendly events, which will be held across the city during the course of this week, will incorporate live music, a digital light parade and a variety of performances.

“We have been delighted by the level of support that we have received. Melanie, and the team at MyMiltonKeynes, have been so enthusiastic about our initiative over the years, and the support and investment has helped us make this an accessible event for all,” comments Anouar Kassim, MBE, Director at MKIAC.

“It is wonderful that this year we are now an official city. We all have coding within our DNA, it’s what makes us unique, but equally this common thread unites us, and it is both unity and inclusion which underpins the festival. MyMiltonKeynes, and all of our supporting partners understand this, and we have collaborated to bring people together and create a free community event, which inspires hope at a time when many are facing financial difficulties.”

Melanie Beck MBE, CEO of MyMiltonKeynes, comments, “We are delighted to work with Anouar and MKIAC to help realise the full potential of the City of Codes & Light Festival. Milton Keynes is underpinned by richly diverse cultures, and it is great to see our communities coming together to celebrate Milton Keynes official city status.”

The above mentioned free live music event will be held at MK Station Square from 6pm on Saturday (October 8) and an exciting, high-energy procession will take place from Christ the Cornerstone Church, from 7.30pm. The ‘digital light parade’ will combine high-impact drumming with kaleidoscopic lighting, including artists from acclaimed street theatre companies – Cirque Bijou and Worldbeaters.

For more information on any of the events taking place throughout the week, visit http://www.mkiac.org/project/the-city-of-codes-light-festival-2022-/