An event that brings together art, design, architecture, fun & a good time is none other than the Festival of Lights, the perfect place to stop for a moment, and observe the sparkly world around you. The main goal of the festival is to apply the most innovative and modern light elements to historical monuments, for an exceptional experience of the city, and to give its visitors a new perspective on culture.

From Berlin to Amsterdam, the Festival of Lights found its way to Zagreb back in 2017. The event has become the city's favorite way to welcome the spring season, as it became popular among the locals and tourists. Art emerging from museums into the streets towards the people, represents the awakening of life itself. Such a cool interpretation if you ask me!

Let's start from the beginning

The first Festival of Lights created a real buzz in town for a reason! It was the first time the city had been introduced to the concept of intertwined art. Symbolizing nature's rebirth, incredible light installations were spread out to 7 locations in the city center: Grič tunnel, Vranyczany Plateau and Art Park below the Strossmayer Promenade, the Lotrščak Tower, Jesuit Square, Klovićevi dvori Gallery, the Gradec plateau and Tomićeva Street.

Image credit: M. Mihaljević, TZGZ

An interactive light ensemble with nature sound effects in Grič Tunnel, and a "waterfall" made from light beams in Tomićeva street, made this such an unforgettable experience! It was fantastic to re-visit some of my favorite parts of town and see them in a completely different setting. But, of course, I can't leave out the laser show – it was mesmerizing, unlike anything I've seen before!

A bigger & better comeback

The following year, the Festival really amped it up! From 7 locations, in 2018, there were 19 unique locations to choose from! You could plan out your route and visit every festival point to avoid missing out on anything. The theme was continuous throughout the event, flower motifs representing blooming nature and the return of spring, with new additions to last year's program. There's no better time to take a stroll through the center of Zagreb!

Image credit: J. Duval, TZGZ

I must share some of my favorite spots. The outstanding "Spring Game" exhibit was an extraordinary sight for all tulip lovers, with holograms casting a three-dimensional image of a blooming tulip. When technology meets art, it's always magical! The Vranyczany Plateau was the perfect setting for a storytelling light installment: based on a story about an egg that leaves its village to avoid getting eaten, ventures out to find a better life, encountering lovely animals on its way. I can't leave out the beautiful Klovićevi dvori gallery, lit up under the stars. It was such a captivating light show. You couldn't keep your eyes off it!

The light show must go on

This leads us to the most recent Festival of Lights edition, 2019. You are probably familiar with the saying: "Third time's a charm!" which is definitely the case here! With more locations than ever, such as Grič Tunnel and Grič Park, Art Park, Lotrščak Tower, Strossmayer Promenade, Gradec Plateau, and Gradec Summer Cinema, there was more than enough to explore. The best strategy is always to map out and plan your route, so you get to see everything the lineup has to offer.

Image credit: J. Duval, TZGZ

What has become a known tradition by now, is that the Festival marks a time when we say goodbye to the cold, winter days, and welcome the joyous spring. And this edition made that happen! As you stepped into the Grič tunnel, you suddenly found yourself among luminous 3D mapped projections of all sorts of plant and wildlife creatures. Just like an enchanted forest! That was probably the highlight of my festival experience that year, and for a reason! What also stood out to me was "a Panda land" exhibit, created in association with the People's Republic of China to honor the year 2019 as the year of culture and tourism between Croatia and China. It was indeed a must-see!

Image credit: J. Duval, TZGZ

I just can't wait to see what this year's Festival has in store for us! If there's one thing certain, I sure won't miss it. Mark your calendars from 16.03. - 20.03. and get ready to be blinded by the beauty of the lights. See you there!

Header image credit: D. Miloslavić, TZGZ

Author: Ayna Emina Kapetanović