Brixen
Copenhagen
Essen
Oslo
Pula

Imagine every flame in the world burning as a light of peace.

The IMAGINE PEACE project creates a vibrant network of collaboration between festivals and scientific institutions, fostering mutual inspiration and knowledge exchange across five European light festivals: Brixen, Copenhagen, Essen, Oslo, and Pula. 

By uniting artistic expressions born from transnational cooperation with sustainable practices and a forward-looking perspective, the project celebrates Europe’s cultural diversity, highlights the enduring importance of peace, and encourages more environmentally conscious approaches to festival planning. 

To ensure measurable sustainability, the five festival organizers work in close partnership with two scientific institutions: the University of Innsbruck (Austria) and the Institute for Public Management at Eurac Research (Italy). 

Scientific Partners

Videos

Iranian & Israeli artists create art together

German artist Claudia Reh is preparing her light installation on peace – including about 20 younger and older people in a workshop in Copenhagen.

The artwork is part of the EU ...project Imagine Peace and will be presented at Essen Light Festival, marking the 80th year of peace in Europe – before touring to Oslo (Norway), Brixen (Italy) and Pula (Croatia).

In the workshop, participants were asked: What is peace for you?
Among them were Rezvan Shahrabi Farahani from Iran and Tamar Dvir from Israel.

“Society has two levels – war is between governments, but this is among people,” says Rezvan.
“It is fantastic doing this - creating peace in me” adds Tamar.

They had never met before – but the power of the human encounter made them work together, creating peace within.

#ImaginePeace #LightArt #EULightProjectShow More
Iranian & Israeli artists create art together
Iranian & Israeli artists create art together
"Imagine Peace" Begins – Start-up Meeting in Munich
"Imagine Peace" Begins – Start-up Meeting in Munich
"Imagine Peace" in Detail – Working Meeting in Lille
"Imagine Peace" in Detail – Working Meeting in Lille

Social Wall

🌟 @essenlightfestival
📍 Essen, Germany | 📆 October 02 ‒ 12, 2025

We’re delighted to highlight another shining chapter of the Imagine Peace project — the Essen Light Festival, part of our EU-funded journey to weave art, technology, and peace through light.
For ten magical nights, the city of Essen turns into a glowing gallery: luminous installations, poetic projections, interactive artworks, and streets bathed in radiant creativity.

✨ Free and open to all, this festival is an invitation to pause, to marvel, and to experience how light can connect us.
Come and let the city shine on you.

#imaginepeace #creativeeurope

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Open post by imaginepeace.project with ID 18091549759771264
🌟 @essenlightfestival 📍 Essen, Germany | 📆 October 02 ‒ 12, 2025 We’re delighted to highlight another shining chapter of the Imagine Peace project — the Essen Light Festival, part of our EU-funded journey to weave art, technology, and peace through light. For ten magical nights, the city of Essen turns into a glowing gallery: luminous installations, poetic projections, interactive artworks, and streets bathed in radiant creativity. ✨ Free and open to all, this festival is an invitation to pause, to marvel, and to experience how light can connect us. Come and let the city shine on you. #imaginepeace #creativeeurope

Every candle lit is more than a ritual — it`s a promise. 🕯
A promise to protect stillness, to nurture peace, to care for the world.🌍✨

#imaginepeace #creativeeurope

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Open post by imaginepeace.project with ID 17996518229802533
Every candle lit is more than a ritual — it's a promise. 🕯 A promise to protect stillness, to nurture peace, to care for the world.🌍✨ #imaginepeace #creativeeurope

Sustainability

Sustainability has become an essential aspect of contemporary event planning. Light art festivals, which often require substantial technical resources and attract international audiences, have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to lead by example. As part of the Imagine Peace Project, a European Union co-funded cooperation, we have developed a Sustainability Audit to help festivals assess and improve their economic, ecological and social impacts.

The audit provides a structured method to evaluate the current sustainability level of each festival across all the so-called “three pillars of sustainability”, which include economic, ecological and social dimensions. The audit identifies areas of strength and opportunities for improvement and aims to establish a shared model for sustainable planning and implementation across festivals.

To measure sustainability on an empirical base, the audit is developed in collaboration with two scientific partners: the University of Innsbruck (Austria) and the Institute for Public Management of Eurac Research (Italy). Their expertise ensures that the methodology is both academically grounded and practically applicable to these artistic events.

The audit proposes different guidelines to assess economic, social and environmental sustainability at managerial, procedural and results level. Among else, the following aspects receive great importance in the audit:

This section assesses the festival’s commitment to reducing energy consumption and adopting renewable energy sources. It considers whether energy-efficient lighting technologies such as LEDs are in use, whether smart power management systems are implemented, and if electricity is sourced from renewable providers. Festivals are encouraged to reduce energy waste during all phases of the event, including setup, operation, and dismantling. A high score in this category reflects strategic planning and a clear move towards cleaner, greener energy solutions.

Effective waste management is essential for sustainable festival planning. This category evaluates how festivals reduce and handle waste, including the use of reusable or compostable materials, clear separation systems, and the reduction of single-use plastics. In terms of communication, festivals are encouraged to limit printed materials and favour digital solutions to further reduce unnecessary waste. These actions contribute to a more efficient and responsible use of resources.

Raising awareness and involving the public are essential elements of a holistic sustainability strategy. This part of the audit evaluates how festivals communicate their sustainable practices and engage the local community. It includes educational programs or exhibitions focused on environmental themes, collaborations with schools and community groups, and the presence of on-site and online information about the event’s sustainability goals. Outreach campaigns that inspire eco-conscious behaviour among visitors are also part of this assessment. These efforts aim to build a long-term culture of sustainability beyond the festival itself.

Transportation to and from the festival can significantly impact its carbon footprint. This section measures how festivals promote environmentally friendly mobility options for visitors, artists, and staff. It takes into account the availability of public transportation and shuttle services, the promotion of walking and cycling routes, and the encouragement of carpooling or low-emission vehicles. Reducing travel-related emissions not only benefits the environment but also strengthens the festival’s connection to its host city and surroundings.

Sustainability also means inclusivity. This category focuses on how festivals ensure access for everyone, regardless of physical, sensory, or cognitive ability. It considers the accessibility of installations, public spaces, and sanitary facilities, as well as the inclusivity of both online and offline communication. This includes accessible websites, easy-to-understand signage, alternative formats for information (such as braille, captions, or sign language), and clear points of contact for assistance. A socially sustainable festival ensures that all visitors can experience the event fully, comfortably, and with dignity—making inclusion not just an add-on, but a fundamental value.

This category evaluates the sourcing of materials and services. Festivals are encouraged to work with local suppliers and craftspeople, to use regionally available resources, and to prioritize recycled, biodegradable, or sustainably certified materials. The reuse of installations and structures across multiple events or years is also considered a best practice. This approach supports local economies, shortens supply chains, and contributes to a circular economy mindset that aligns with long-term sustainability goals.

The audit also considers the economic sustainability of the event and how its assets are managed to enhance positive impacts on both the event itself and the local community. This category examines not only the financial management and associated risks but also how assets such as workforce and knowledge are utilized. Additionally, attention is given to the impact on the local community, as events can attract tourists and visitors during off-season periods, thereby supporting local businesses and economic activities.

There are currently no Sustainability Documents available for download.

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