Leipzig Festival of Lights 2009

The first Leipzig Festival of Lights took place in 2009 under the motto Aufbruch Leipzig – 20 Years of the Peaceful Revolution and the Unity of Europe on part of the historic demonstration route of 1989. Architects, lighting designers, designers and artists from various European countries contributed interpretations on the theme of the Peaceful Revolution using the media of light, audio and video. This first Festival of Lights saw itself as a conceptual invitation to experience and reflect on history through artistic engagement with the event. By weaving together information and art, it aimed to deepen knowledge about the Peaceful Revolution of the 9ᵗʰ of October 89 and the impact of civic engagement. As in 89, the focus was therefore on the people who played an active role through their movement along the historic demonstration route. To this end, the concept followed the dramaturgy of 89 and used the urban structure as an open space for artistic interventions.

The statements of the participating artists were shaped on the one hand by their personal experience of change, and on the other by the development of the media and the medialisation of public space since the 1990s. The 2009 Festival of Lights dealt with memory, but did not remain there; rather, it served as a symbol of unity, freedom and the overcoming of borders. It addressed a broad public: citizens who had themselves witnessed the events of 1989, young people, as well as national and international guests of the city.