Berlin's 20th Festival of Lights celebrates freedom, features Kurdish artist Gita Kurdpour
“As this year’s theme, my work is about freedom. Where does freedom start? It starts from within. Meaning if we are not truly free ourselves, even if our surroundings are, we still cannot truly sense freedom," she reflected on the theme of the event.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The 20th edition of the Festival of Lights illuminated the German capital from October 4 to October 13, celebrating freedom as its central theme. This year's event marked a significant milestone: the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent unification of Germany. Among the many global artists who participated in the festival was Kurdish artist Gita Kurdpour, who has called Berlin home for many years.
The festival's organizers emphasized the theme of freedom as a tribute to Berlin’s history and a broader symbol of hope. "That’s why the 20th Festival of Lights was all about it—freedom in Berlin, in Europe, and in many countries around the world. But also the freedom that we wish for all the people who still have to dream of it," stated the event's official website.
The festival, described as an "anniversary edition," brought stories of freedom to life through spectacular light art. "With the anniversary edition of the Festival of Lights, we’re telling big and small stories about the freedom that makes Berlin a vibrant metropolis of creativity, confidence, and joie de vivre with spectacular, breathtaking light art. On 10 evenings, the capital’s most famous and popular buildings and squares shone in a special light," the website added.
Gita Kurdpour, the Kurdish artist featured at the festival, expressed her pride in participating. “This is the third year that I participate in this festival. This is the 20th festival, and renowned artists from around the world have gathered here to showcase their artworks,” she told Kurdistan24.
She explained the nature of the event, saying, "The Festival is called ‘The Festival of Lights,’ meaning all the artworks are digital. The artists project their works on the buildings or the ground. The people, then, go and take selfies and photos of the artworks as a memorabilia of the event.”
Kurdpour highlighted the festival’s impact on tourism, emphasizing its role in drawing visitors from around the globe. “This really suits Berlin because the event attracts more than 300,000 tourists to the city,” she noted.
Reflecting on the theme of freedom, Kurdpour shared insights into her own artistic vision. “As this year’s theme, my work is about freedom. Where does freedom start? It starts from within. Meaning if we are not truly free ourselves, even if our surroundings are, we still cannot truly sense freedom. So, we ought to use that freedom that we have to the fullest. This could also facilitate your communication with your own surroundings,” she explained.
Among the many global artists who participated in the Festival of Lights in Berlin was Kurdish artist Gita Kurdpour, who has called Berlin home for many years.
— Kurdistan 24 English (@K24English) October 22, 2024
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Background: The Berlin Wall and the Significance of the Festival
The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 marked a historic moment in Germany's history, leading to the reunification of East and West Germany and symbolizing the end of the Cold War era.
Since then, Berlin has emerged as a global hub for creativity and cultural expression, with the Festival of Lights becoming one of its most celebrated annual events. The festival not only commemorates Berlin's journey toward freedom but also serves as a platform for artists like Kurdpour to share their vision of liberation and hope through art.
This year’s festival, under the banner of freedom, has been a luminous tribute to Berlin's past and a celebration of its spirit of unity and creativity.