Noorderlicht Photofestival 2003: Global Detail

A main exhibition with over 300 photographs on globalisation; a tenth anniversary exhibition with work by world-famous members of Magnum including Henri Cartier-Bresson, George Rodger and Eve Arnold; the world premiere of photographs the Dutch photographer Violette Cornelius made in Iraq in the 1960s.

These are just some of the high points from the programme of the tenth Noorderlicht Photo Festival in Groningen. The exhibition was opened on Saturday, September 6 by the writer Bas Heijne, just before named as guest author at the National University at Groningen.

The complete exhibition programme of Noorderlicht – from historical to contemporary photography in all conceivable genres and styles – took place across over 60 locations in and around the city of Groningen. That made the event larger than ever. With this scope the organisers have given a festive tint to the tenth edition: a longer series than has ever been realised by any Dutch photo festival.

In addition to the photography exhibitions the programme also included lectures, film screenings, an international masterclass for young photographers and an educational programme especially focused on secondary schools.

Noorderlicht, which since 2000 has been organised in alternating years in Leeuwarden and Groningen, is both the largest and the only annual photo festival in The Netherlands. The event has distinguished itself for years now by the thematic organisation of its main exhibitions, which combine social engagement and the power of visual imagination in a unique manner.