Spotlight 2019 marked two major events for Romania: the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the opening of the Romania-France Season in Bucharest. The theme of the festival, EuropeLights, reflects these events and highlights the cultural and educational collaborations between the two countries.
A special moment of the 2019 edition was the official opening of the Romania-France Season, and the artistic director of the festival will be Jean-François Zurawik, a leading name in the field of urban lighting, and the director of the Fête des Lumières in Lyon - the partner of this edition. This collaboration with Lyon, one of the most important and famous light festivals in the world, has brought valuable know-how, translated into an exciting and innovative vision for this year's edition. Jean-François Zurawik, with extensive experience in organising enlightenment events in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, has been instrumental in delivering an exceptional festival, cementing Spotlight's position as a prestigious international event.
As every year, Calea Victoriei was the main route of the festival, complemented by the spaces in Lipscani Street and University Square, which hosted interactive installations and video-mapping sessions. The CEC building hosted a video mapping entitled “Brancusi”, which is an interpretation of the work of the famous Romanian artist, while the Palace of Telephones crossed all seasons in one day, thanks to the video mapping “Wheel of Time”.
The installations and projections of artists from Romania, France, Canada, Australia and Great Britain attract the public with their uniqueness, color and dynamism, inviting them to plunge into the bright swings of the installation “Wave-Field” at the National Museum of Art of Romania, to play ping-pong at the National Military Circle, thanks to the installation “Lightpong”, to take pictures with creativity strange luminous lights called “Luminuits”, admire the suspended neon lights of the gravity-defying “Tensegrity” installation, watch the luminous rabbit in “Intrude”, and many others. These works make the night and the city acquire an unforgettable life and rhythm.
At the opening of the festival, the famous French artist Bob Sinclar gave an electrifying concert in “George Enescu” Square.
