Leipzig Festival of Lights 2023

Programme Leipzig Festival of Lights 2023

Experience the Festival of Lights throughout the entire city centre

Lichtfest Leipzig 2023: Kerzenpodest mit Teelichtern in Mehrwegbechern mit Aufdruck zum Herbst 89

For the third time, the Leipzig Festival of Lights presented itself with a decentralised concept at three locations within Leipzig’s city centre: The Leipzig Festival of Lights 2023 took place on Augustusplatz, Burgplatz and Richard-Wagner-Platz. At all locations, visitors could experience audiovisual light installations by local, national and international artists from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., which had been prepared since the summer of 2023 in joint workshops with local cooperation partners. At the St Nicolas Church Yard, guests were welcomed by the candles' podium '89 – a podium of candles in the shape of an 89, illuminated by the visitors of the Festival of Lights.

Photos Candle sponsors Programme booklet Projects

Opening of Leipzig Festival of Lights 2023 at St Nicolas Church Yard

Welcome speeches, music, candles' podium '89, guided tours

(Kopie 4)

Lichtfest Leipzig 2023: Eröffnung auf dem Nikolaikirchhof mit Grußworten von Burkhard Jung, Carsten Schneider und Michael Kretschmer u. a. — © Punctum/Stefan Hoyer

The evening began at the St Nicolas Church Yard with brief welcome addresses by Mayor Burkhard Jung, Saxony’s Minister President Michael Kretschmer, and the Federal Government Commissioner for the Eastern States, Carsten Schneider. The opening was accompanied musically by an ensemble from the University of Music and Theatre “Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy” Leipzig: Svetlana Riger, violin / Javier Pardo Gil, viola / Jordi Albelda, cello.

candles' podium '89, candle sponsorship and guided tours

On the St Nicolas Church Yard stood the traditional candles' podium '89, which was illuminated over the course of the evening by visitors using thousands of tealights. At all information stands in the city centre, visitors received candles free of charge. Anyone interested could also make a cash donation to take on a symbolic candle sponsorship. In 2023, the proceeds went to EuropaMaidan Leipzig e. V., founded in 2014 when hundreds of thousands of people in Ukraine demonstrated against the government. The association collects donations for projects in Ukraine as well as for refugees and for Ukrainians who have remained in their country.

At 8 pm, 8:30 pm and 9 pm guided tours to the historic sites of the Peaceful Revolution started. Participation was free of charge, and no registration was required.

The meeting point/start was at the St Nicolas Church Yard at the column.

Cooperation partner Leipzig Erleben

Light projects Leipzig Festival of Lights 2023

Leipzig Festival of Lights 2009 to 2025