Festival of Light, a festival when the city of Berlin bathes in sea of light and colour. The entire city plays a stage for artists from across the world to display their light art on the iconic monuments in the form of illuminations. Buildings glimmer, streets scintillate. Even the mundane squares, bridges, railway stations and airport get a new character during this time and are transformed into scintillating sights. In short everything gets dunked in glamor and turns lustrous.
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| Berlin Dome was a show stealer |
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| The regular bridge dusted by light |
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| Radison blue on the banks of Spree |
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the festival and for 10 days Berlin transforms to everything glittery. The event kicked off with a formal ceremony at Potsdamer Platz. For the next few days, facades of prominent buildings will be projected with artistic illuminations. The visuals keep changing often and telling a unique story. Each one made for a jaw dropping moment.
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| A Microsoft store trying to fit in the mood |
The best place to see is to walk along the famous street, Unter den Linden from tiergarten towards the Berlin cathedral. The 3d video mapping on the Brandenburg gate gave a modern twist to the masonry construction. The Berlin dome was at its impressive best while the lights danced on its columns. We were accompanied by many enthusiasts lazying in the public park across the cathedral witnessing the show.
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| Berlin Cathedral served as a canvas for light artists |
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| Brandenburg gate excellently lit up |
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| Now who wouldn’t want to go to night classes at this beautiful university |
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| Berlin TV tower kept changing colors |
The mystical sculptures created by the famous Austrian artist Manfred Kielnhofer are another highlight. Fondly called guardians of time they resemble people dressed in long robes and show up at different places every night during the festival. We spotted them at the Hotel de Rome and were fascinated to see how real they look.
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| Guardians of time are figurines created by an Austrian artist and tour different places |
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| Here, we found them at the Hotel de Rome |
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| Also spotted them guarding the Humboldt university |
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| These were real crazy people |
The festival also lends an excuse for many concerts and special events. The best among them and not to be missed is the Lumissimo when singers and musicians present a concert complete with a laser show for audience to indulge in with all the senses.
The glitz and the shimmery show can be witnessed at the famous landmarks the Brandenburg Gate, the radio tower, Berlin Cathedral, Gendarmenmarkt, Potsdamer Platz, Humboldt university. There are many ways to tour around including lighted bicycle taxis, horse drawn carriages, light ships on Spree and even in a helium balloon. Whatever may be the way, seeing the Berlin urban space light up is a unique experience.
Berlin is a city for artists and passionately hosts different events year round. Did you checkout the mile long viewing area that greeted footbal entusiasts.
