Festival of Lights Zagreb

World cities such as Lyon, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Helsinki and St. Petersburg has combined light and sound into special art for a long time, and in 2017 Zagreb joined them. The first Zagreb Light Festival lasting 4 days was held in 7 locations and only one year later it expanded to 19 different locations.

From March 19th to 23rd, at 22 locations, you will be able to see 25 attractions and different stories that will bring the magic of light over the course of five days, symbolically marking the arrival of spring and providing visitors with a special atmosphere in the city's squares, streets and parks. The combination of art, design, spectacle, entertainment and architecture will once again bring the Lower and Upper Town locations to life this year. In addition to the local, the reputation of the Zagreb festival is also confirmed by the participation of renowned light artists and light messages from several countries, including the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia and Great Britain.

Dolac Market where the film Zoetrope Zagreb is shown, Draškovićeva Street becomes a place where light merges with nature. On Ban Josip Jelačić Square, the WAVE installation inspired by the fluidity of natural waves and three pairs of huge light sculptures hang.

The historic facade of the Croatian National Theatre will come alive with colorful patterns and light images, on Marko Marulić Square, a 3D projection on the Croatian State Archives building will show the connection between water, life and innovation.

This year's festival celebrates two important anniversaries. The Art Pavilion will be the canvas on which a thematic projection will mark an important historical anniversary, the 1100th anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom. The festival also celebrates the 100th anniversary of Zagreb's famous Hotel Esplanade, which was built to accommodate passengers of the legendary Orient Express train, which will be marked with a special light projection and will be the opening location of the Festival.

On King Tomislav Square, a historical time machine dedicated to the 1100th anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom will commemorate the king after whom the square was named, and a special playground with unusual seesaws will be set up there. Josip Juraj Strossmayer Square will be adorned with Aerial Ballet, while Zrinjevac will feature the Under Pressure light installation.

We are waiting for projection mapping on the facade of the Archaeological Museum, on the European Square AI Parasite, on Masarykova Street LightScape Installation. Lotrščak Tower, one of the symbols of Zagreb, becomes a lighthouse again this year. On Strossmayer Promenade you can enjoy lanterns. The Fireflies light installation is located in Opatovina Park, and the Solar Dust installation is in Ribnjak Park.

 photo: Tourist Board Zagreb