A prehistoric-themed lantern parade will take place on Saturday, January 31, in The Broadway as part of the Night Visions festival, featuring a giant illuminated Basilosaurus puppet as its centrepiece.
Councillor Cafer Munur, Cabinet Member for Place Shaping, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for residents and visitors to Bexleyheath to get creative in the company of a professional artist throughout January, making a visit to the town centre even more special than usual.
“Children and adults alike are welcome to get involved.
“The parade promises to be a unique experience and a chance to see a huge new artwork that has been newly created for Bexley and I can’t think of a better way to conclude our amazing Night Visions festival.”
Residents are invited to take part by creating their own lanterns at free workshops run by artist Miyuki Kasahara.
Ms Kasahara said: “Have you ever found shark teeth in Lesnes Abbey Woods fossil pit?
“Bexley was under a shallow tropical sea and these sharks were from the Eocene Epoch 55.8 to 33.9 million years ago.
“That time was characterised by a warmer global climate that significantly helped mammals’ evolution and biodiversity.
“To celebrate Bexley’s evolutionary history, we will create Eocene sea animal lanterns including Basilosaurus, a giant prehistoric whale that lived there.
“Other individual lanterns will include ancient marine life such as jellyfish.
“Due to rapid global warming in the present era, climate change is now causing large marine animals to disappear, we must think about how to support our oceans and the biodiverse community living there.
“Together we can make Bexley’s night sky into an Eocene epoch sea.”
The workshops will be held throughout January at Central Library in Bexleyheath and are open to both children and adults.
Participants will craft lanterns of ancient sea creatures to join the procession on The Night of the Basilosaurus.
The event is a collaboration between Bow Arts and Bexleyheath Business Improvement District and is supported by a £100,000 investment from Arts Council England.
João Guarantani, executive director of business at Bow Arts, said: “Bow Arts is delighted to be working with local communities to deliver Night Visions, and we hope that the lantern parade will inspire people from all over Bexleyheath and beyond to come together to share their imagination and creativity.”
