Starting in 2023, Spotlight is part of the international network The International Light Festivals Organization, connecting Bucharest with the major cities hosting world-famous light festivals.
The theme of the 2023 edition, Geometry of The City, turned the city into a true geometric fantasy, bringing famous buildings to life through videomapping projections, installing interactive installations and animating the city's statues with the help of light art. The audience had the opportunity to experience a reinvented Bucharest, where urban geometry was celebrated through lights, color and sound.
Among the premieres of the edition was the inclusion of the InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest Hotel in the festival circuit, with a large luminous projection signed by the artist Roman Tolici. Also, ARCUB — Gabroveni Inn hosted an installation in the historical center of the capital. The festival brought together important names of contemporary art from Romania and international artists, from France, Hungary and Austria, to transform iconic venues in Bucharest into an open-air gallery.
Another special moment of the edition was the integration of choral music into the Spotlight program. The festival marked 60 years since the establishment of the National Chamber Choir “Madrigal — Marin Constantin”, with a videomapping performance on the facade of the Odeon Theatre, performed by Mindscape Studio, inspired by the music of the choral ensemble.
The 2023 festival map included iconic locations, from the statue of Mihai Eminescu in Athenaeum Park, transformed into a visual game, to the Telephones Palace, the Odeon Theatre and the Kretzulescu Park, which were “dressed” in spectacular light installations. The festival route took place along Calea Victoriei, from the intersection with Amzei Square to the Military Circle, with a final stop in the Old Center, at ARCUB — Gabroveni Inn, offering Bucharest residents a real visual adventure.
See the participating facilities below.
Institutional partner:MONUMENT for — General Directorate of Landscape Architecture and Monuments for Public, National Chamber Choir “Madrigal — Marin Constantin”
Sponsor:Asirom, Hotel InterContinental Athenée Palace Bucharest
Main partners:Radio Europa FM, Virgin Radio Romania, International Light Festival Organisation
Media partners:Bucharest FM, Agerpres.ro, STB
Gratitude: Municipal Public Lighting Company, Orange, National Military Circle, Novotel Hotel, Music Store, George Enescu Philharmonic, Odeon Theatre, Kraft Market, Apa Nova