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Virginia Kouridaki for JAEurope

The Bright Festival  returned to Brussels for its eighth edition and gave residents and visitors alike a great incentive to see the  city in a different light despite the chilly cold. The festival which took place from the 13 until the 16 of February 2025, is an initiative that has been running since 2017 by Visit Brussels and has established itself as a key cultural event, attracting larger crowds each subsequent year.

This year, more than 20 installations reimagined public spaces and iconic landmarks. The vast majority of them could be enjoyed in three of Brussels’ most beautiful parks; Parc Royal, Parc du Cinquantenaire and Parc Leopold, transforming the city into a land of enchantment. At Parc Leopold the installation For Peace! by artist Seddeminut was an initially tranquil walk that gradually transformed into a run, serving as a reminder of how peace is not guaranteed in the turbulent times we are living in.


© Virginia Kouridaki

At Parc du Cinquantenaire, a huge queue was formed in front of the Pavilion of Human Passions and for good reason. Jef Lambeaux’s masterpiece was about to be viewed through a unique, innovative projection titled Passions Humains (Human Passions) by artist Antoine Goldschmidt which made the figures of the marble seem enlivened, transmitting masterfully the range that human passions can have. By the end, everyone was left in awe and happy that the experience was well worth the wait.


© Virginia Kouridaki

Another one of the most impressive displays was the vibrant light show on the façade of Saint Gudula in Brussels, created by Spectaculaires, a French company specializing in large-scale visual shows and spectacles. The 5-minute colourful, impressive, production celebrated biodiversity, particularly the peregrine falcons that have been nesting on top of one of the cathedral’s towers for almost 20 years!

Beyond being a visual celebration, the festival delivered much more than eye candy for viewers through its commitment to environmental responsibility. Building upon previous efforts, the festival remained energy-efficient by utilising LED technology and renewable energy sources for its light installations. Additionally, artists were encouraged to use recycled and locally sourced materials in their installations, promoting this way of a circular economy and reducing waste. The installation “Kiosque luminescent” at Parc Royal, featured flowers treated with a biodegradable serum that made them glow, showcasing the potential of biodegradable materials in art.


© Virginia Kouridaki


© Virginia Kouridaki

The festival also featured the bright Market, an initiative where visitors could have their lighting fixtures repaired or purchase beautiful, refurbished second-hand lights. Thus, the reuse of materials was once again encouraged and sustainability promoted.

All in all, through the fusion of modern art, innovation and sustainable practices the Bright Festival came back stronger for yet another year, promising again a mesmerising spectacle in 2026 for those that missed it this winter. It was undeniably one of the cultural highlights of the year offered in the European capital with a legacy that continues to inspire.

References:

Visit Brussels. (n.d.). Bright Festival. Visit Brussels. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.visit.brussels/en/visitors/agenda/bright-festival

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