It is said that Berlin is one of the most dynamic, challenging and exciting capital cities of Europe. Although there is a wide variety of things to do and a great number of places to visit all year round; this statement takes a whole new meaning this Wednesday, when the whole city lights up for a great happening.
Every year in October, Berlin hosts one of the biggest illumination festivals in the world: the Festival of Lights. Since 2005, this festival has been making the most famous landmarks of the city come to life every year; thanks to some of the greatest German light artists, who are aiming to amaze and excite our senses with their masterpieces.
The festival will kick-start on October 9th at 7pm on Postdammer Platz Quarter, and will continue with a concert at the Cathedral, combining orchestral music and a spectacular light show. There are many ways to enjoy the city and the festival: if you want to see the shows up close, the best alternative is to walk the city, but you can also take boat tours to see it all from the water or climb to the highest skyscraper to get a global idea of what the city’s transformation looks like. You’ll also have the chance to take part in special activities like backstage tours, carriage rides and sightseeing walks everywhere you go.
Famous places like the Brandenburg gate, the Berlin Cathedral or the Charlottenburg palace lose their usual façades to change them for brand new (and animated) looks. It is all made with the latest technology of laser projection and 3D videomapping, with breathtaking results, as you can see in the picture.
There are many ways to enjoy the city and the festival: if you want to see the shows up close, the best alternative is to move on foot, but you can also take boat tours to see it all from the water or climb to the highest skyscraper to get a global idea of what the city’s impressive transformation looks like.
Other than the lights, music is a big part of the festival. Jazz concerts will be held and classical music will accompany some of the light shows, bringing a unique sensory and emotional stimulation to all attendants. Also some of the concerts featured in the festival hold charitable ends, like improving health insurance and assistance for the most disadvantaged citizens.
So either if you already know Berlin or you are planning on going for the first time, there is no better time to get around than the Festival of Lights. It will go on until October 20th, so you have plenty of time to get to see an amazing city under a fantastic new light.