300,000-LED Bulb Luminaire Illuminates Kobe's Winter Night

A light symbol of recovery from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, Kobe Luminarie opened December 4th night to illuminate the night skies of Kobe with 300 thousand LED bulbs - 1.5 times more than in regulars years.

The light pageant Kobe Luminaire marks 21st years this year in memory of the victims of the megaquake that assaulted the area in 1995. The Italian government donates the lights and Valerio Festi and Hirokazu Imaoka produce installation.

On the first day of the event, December 4, the lighting ceremony was held at the former foreign settlements. The attendants meditated in memory of 6434 victims and at 6 o'clock the entire 300 thousand bulbs were lit all at once to turn the whole skies aglow.

Power-saving brilliant LED bulbs were used for the first time this year 1.5 times more in number than in regular years. An Open plaza afforded space for some 11 local food stands to present Kobe's food culture and events of light and music.

The event attracts 4 million of so visitors to Kobe and raises donations to the tune of 1.3 million yen and earns 6.1 million yen in sponsorship and merchandise sales.

Kobe Luminarie is, however,  short of funds 20 years after the earthquake and this year it closes two days sooner on December 13. The organizers anticipate a gross attendance of 3 million.

The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake hit the southern part of Hyogo prefecture on January 17, 1995. It shook the area for about 20 seconds and deprived over 6000 of their lives.

It was the first time an earthquake was officially measured at a seismic intensity of the highest Level 7 on JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency).