On October 9, 1989, 70,000 brave individuals gathered in Leipzig to demand freedom and democracy—armed not with weapons, but with courage and candles. Behind the Iron Curtain, their peaceful protest ignited a revolution that helped change the course of history.
Exactly 35 years later, on October 9, 2024, the Leipzig Festival of Lights returned to the heart of the city to honor that pivotal night. From 7:00 p.m. to midnight, the inner city ring road—the original demonstration route—was transformed into an open-air canvas of remembrance and reflection. In this extraordinary anniversary year, light once again became a symbol of resistance, hope, and the enduring power of peaceful change.
This year’s festival was more expansive—and more emotional—than ever before. Over 20 national and international artist teams reinterpreted the events of 1989 through spectacular mappings, projections, performances, and sound installations. These artistic interventions didn’t just tell history—they let tens of thousands of visitors feel it.
From intimate installations to larger-than-life projections, each piece paid homage to the spirit of the revolution: a movement born of unity, courage, and the unwavering will to be free.
Barriere: Break through barriers together
Among the standout projects was Barriere, an interactive light installation contributed by Pronorm—a project we are deeply proud to have brought to life.
Composed of nineteen vertical beams of bright light, Barriere stood as a powerful metaphor for the Iron Curtain. In its resting state, the curtain of light was impenetrable—blocking the view beyond. But something magical happened when visitors reached out: the beams responded to touch, parting to create temporary openings.
The simple act of pushing through the light became a moving experience. Visitors could feel what it meant to break through a barrier—how effort and intention could briefly open up a new perspective. And when they let go, the curtain silently closed again.
Barriere reminded everyone that freedom isn’t a fixed state—it must be nurtured, guarded, and actively maintained. An open society only stays open if we keep choosing to open it, again and again.
A City That Never Forgets
The Leipzig Festival of Lights 2024 was not just a commemoration. It was a living, breathing statement of values: peace over violence, light over darkness, remembrance over amnesia. It reminded us that revolutions don’t always roar. Sometimes, they begin with a whisper. With candles. With courage.
And 35 years later, Leipzig still glows with that same light.
Don’t Stop Here
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