Embracing the Darkness: 5 European Festivals of Light
From Turin to Helsinki, glowing installations light up the late fall and winter skies.
Luci d'Artista, a renowned light festival in Turin, Italy, continues until January 10. As one of Europe's most ambitious light shows, it consists of approximately 30 permanent installations, each year featuring new works commissioned specifically for the event. Festival curator Antonio Grulli emphasizes that Luci d'Artista operates with the dedication of a genuine contemporary art institution.
During the winter months, when people in northern Europe experience the depths of darkness, various cities across Europe host light festivals to combat the gloom. Starting in mid-October, Prague's light festival showcases contemporary artworks utilizing light as its medium. Copenhagen's festival, running from January 29 to February 21, embraces the darkness rather than hiding it, as expressed by program manager Frederikke Krogh.
Other notable light festivals include Berlin's, which primarily focuses on coloring urban monuments and landmarks, and numerous festivals that extend their celebrations from a couple of nights to several months. Unlike decorative Christmas lights common in many cities, these light festivals present a more expressive form of art, aiming to transform winter nights into visually captivating experiences.
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