Festival of Lights focuses on light and light based technologies

The idea of the festival was born in collaboration between Nõo Municipality governor Rain Sangernebo and Tartu Observatory Director Anu Reinart and the Manager of the Visitors Center Heli Lätt. The idea was to open the doors of the Space Center and introduce the work to the local public. The concept of the festival was developed by choreographer Jaan Ulst.

The year 2015 was the year of international Light and light based technologies. Light festival aim was to make people aware of the importance of light and light based technologies in our homes and in the development of our society. Festival has followed the same concept since.

During the evening of the Festival, Tartu Observatory halls were filled with interactive expositions and science workshops. The evening continued outside in the park with light and music performance "The forest of Light".

Already in the third year, the Tõravere Observatory became too narrow for the festival, so new place was chosen for the new venue. Luke Manor old park offered new opportunities to point out different forms of light. In the park of Luke Manor the real burning fire was added to scientific and artistic light.

As each venue offers new opportunities with its uniqueness, after two years 2019, the festival moved to a new location on the shore of Lake Nõo Veskijärv.

In year 2020, in addition to Veskijärv and Nõo Church, events took place in Kellamehe Park. A path inspired by 2,000 outdoor candles was completed as a new experience. 

This is how the festival has become an event that, on the one hand, popularizes science and space – we have visited the Tõravere Observatory, offered the opportunity to get familiar with various laboratories and monitoring rooms, and shown the construction of the galaxy. On the other hand, it is also a performing arts event, which shows how to integrate the theme of space and light into the cultural experience.