After Berlin, London, Gent and other European cities, Copenhagen is now to host a light festival. In the dark month of February more than 40 light installations will illuminate the Danish capital.
Image: Tivoli
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During the festival, visitors will be able to see historical buildings, the harbor and other cultural hotspots in a different light – literally. "Copenhagen is darker than most other cities," says Anne Bay, the Director of the Danish Light Centers. She adds: "The combination of beautiful old buildings and the thick darkness creates the ideal environment for experiments in art and light creation experiences."
Statement to the current state of world: Not Hate - Love, by Viera CollaroImage: David Stjernholm
Numerous Danish and internationally-renowned light artists will, with the help of lights and lasers, magically create over-dimensional sculptures throughout the city, as well as animations projected onto house facades. The Glyptoteket Art Museum will be illuminated in red.
Ørestad district: new architecture, nature and light artImage: Out-Sider as
Glimmering illuminated jellyfish light effects will swim through the canals and lakes in the modern Ørestad district. "Light festivals can be very colorful and bright, but we want to make it a very Danish experience. That's why our installations in their creation are poetic," says project leader Catja Thystrup.
The new Hjørnet theme park in Tivoli GardensImage: Tivoli/Lasse Salling
The beloved amusement park Tivoli Gardens, normally closed between New Year and Easter, will open for three weeks in February to mark its 175 birthday, and will launch a brand new season with a show called "Winter Light."
Like a fairytale: light swans on the Tivoli LakeImage: Tivoli/Bax Lindhardt
The participating locations are open to the public, so visitors can attend individually or as part of a guided tour, which are also offered in the form of a boat tour. The Copenhagen Light Festival can be experienced from February 2 to March 2.
fm/ks,sbc (with visitdenmark.de)
11 light festivals around the world
Let there be light! More and more cities are staging light festivals. They transform squares and streets, bridges and buildings spectacularly. Throughout the year there is a new light spectacle somewhere to admire.
Every December at the beginning of the Christmas season — and this since the 19th century — the French metropolis on the Rhône begins to glow. Whereas in the past it was simple candlelight, today lighting designers deliver sophisticated illusions and enchant buildings with changing projections.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/MAXPPP/J. Philippon
London
In January 2019, from the 18th to the 21st, at the "Lumiere London" festival in Great Britain, the sights and streets of the city on the Thames will be surprisingly colourful and fantastic figures of light will buzz through the night.
Image: picture-alliance/Photoshot
Seoul
The first full moon of the year is traditionally celebrated in Korea as a second New Year's Eve after the lunar calendar. In 2019, "Jeongwol Daeboreum" will take place on February 4. With ritual pyramid fires and modern LED light games, disaster is to be averted and luck is to be brought.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Jeon Heon-Kyun
Montreal
The Canadian city presents itself every year in February/March with the spectacle "Montréal en Lumière". Next time it will take place in February/March 2019. But Montreal's Place des Arts subway station is also a radiant venue on normal days. A 13-metre-long glass picture with over 100 fluorescent tubes tells the story of music.
Image: picture-alliance/imageBROKER/G. Schwermer
Baltimore
Each year beginning in March Baltimore in the US state of Maryland will become Light City. The inner harbor will serve as a stage for all sorts of innovative multi-disciplinary light art shows.
Image: Light City Baltimore
Sydney
In Australia, the Vivid Sydney festival - mostly in June - attracts more spectators every year. The stunning light installations enchanting more than 2 million visitors.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/R. Griffith
Jerusalem
In summertime the Old City will be the backdrop for Jerusalem's light festival. 3D projections will transform the view of a city that is a central to the beliefs of Jews, Christians and Muslims.
Image: picture-alliance/Photoshot
Moscow
At the annual Circle of Light festival in late summer, international artists drench the Russian capital and its imposing buildings in shimmering colors.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/S. Fadeichev
Berlin
In October the German capital hosts two festivals of illuminations. At nightfall, Berlin leuchtet and the Festival of Lights provide transform the cityscape.
Image: picture alliance/Photoshot/S. Yuqi
Frankfurt
Every two years in the German banking metropolis on the Main, light sculptures add colourful accents to the skyline and enchant the old town. The spectacle "Luminale" will take place again in 2020.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/B. Roessler
Ghent
In Belgium, the city of Ghent, with its light festival, now attracts more than half a million visitors. It takes place every three years. In 2018, 40 large installations by light art designers were on view. Next time it will take place in 2021.