City of Lights – Berlin's magical atmosphere during the Festival of Lights
- Panna
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Berlin is a city where history and modernity meet in perfect harmony, and where there is a new exciting discovery waiting for you on every street corner. It is one of the most special times of the year, when the city's most famous buildings are illuminated by stunning light installations and video projections, bringing Berlin's symbolic history and creative spirit to life.
What is the Festival of Lights?
The Festival of Lights is a ten-day event, usually in October, during which more than fifty locations in Berlin will become the stage for artistic light shows. This special event is not only spectacular, but also conveys deeper messages: it celebrates freedom, acceptance, unity and cultural diversity .
I made it to this special festival in October 2023.
The theme of 2023 – “Colours of Life” – was particularly relevant and thought-provoking. The colours here were not merely aesthetic elements: each shade symbolised a human story, lifestyle, culture, identity or worldview. The aim of the festival was to draw attention to the importance of human diversity, acceptance and respect for each other through the interweaving of these colours.
The Brandenburg Gate was the central attraction of the festival this year, which came to life with 3D projections every evening. The work of the French-Portuguese Typru showed how the four basic elements of nature – water, earth, fire and air – together create a harmonious world, just as the diversity of people can only be complete together. The Japanese Sunnana Inc. highlighted inner peace and a life close to nature, while the Ukrainian Kurbas Pro presented the colors of life as a cavalcade of cultures and identities through a symbolic gallery. The Bulgarian MP-STUDIO used the concept of time travel to demonstrate that we can only build a sustainable future if we value the heritage of our past. The theatrical, emotionally focused sequences of the American Susan Gurnee focused on the fragility and beauty of human relationships.
The theme of “Colours of Life” is particularly relevant in today’s world, as more and more societies are affected by polarizing political, religious or cultural tensions. In the age of globalization and digitalization, while physical borders are dissolving, mental and emotional walls are often being built. In this context, the Festival of Lights served as a visual proclamation: it reminded us that people with different backgrounds, thoughts or cultures are not a threat, but an enrichment for our communities. The colors were metaphors for the fact that a better world is not born when everyone becomes the same, but when we can live side by side, accepting our differences – and indeed: create something greater together.
The installations were not only eye-catching, but also consciously reflected on social diversity, equal opportunities, the need for intercultural dialogue and environmental responsibility. Most of the projections were powered by renewable energy sources, and visitors could choose from a number of options for barrier-free, sustainable transport.
The Festival of Lights 2023 was therefore not just a stunning light festival. It was an experience that, beyond visuals, carried a common human message: the world is beautiful when every color – every person – has a place in it. And Berlin, dressed in light, conveyed this message to the world with dignity and serenity.
Walking itinerary during the Festival of Lights
If you're in Berlin during the Festival of Lights, don't miss the evening walk, which will take you to some of the city's most iconic sites. Here's a recommended itinerary:
Start your evening at the city's most famous symbol, the Brandenburg Gate. The area around the gate has a lively atmosphere and there are many cafes waiting to take a break.
The famous gate is Berlin's most well-known neoclassical symbol – a symbol of former division and reunification.
From here, stroll along Unter den Linden boulevard, where the buildings of Humboldt University and the State Opera are adorned with dazzling lights.
You will soon arrive at Bebelplatz. This location is one of the centers of the festival, where light and video art provided a special experience for visitors.
Continuing on, we arrive at the Berliner Dom, the facade of which is illuminated by spectacular light installations, while you can warm yourself up with hot drinks in the area.
From here we can walk towards Nikolaiviertel, where colorful lights and fairy-tale motifs enchant visitors, an ideal place for relaxing and taking photos.
The next stop on the tour is the modern Potsdamer Platz, where the dynamic play of light on the buildings showcases Berlin's vibrant present.
If you still have some energy left, end the evening from the TV Tower's observation deck, where you can see the entire illuminated city. Book your tickets in advance to avoid the queue.
Berlin during the Festival of Lights offers an experience you will never forget: a wonderful mix of history, art and modern technology. If you can, plan an autumn trip to this wonderful city!
Comfortable shoes and warm clothing are recommended, as the evening walk can be cool. It is worth starting the tour after dark, around 7 p.m., to make the most of the light installations.
Of course, you can also use public transportation if walking is too much.
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