By TB
As winter loosens its frosty grip and spring takes center stage, Zagreb bursts into life—not just with blooming flowers but with the vibrant glow of its Festival of Lights 2025.
From March 19 to March 23, the Croatian capital transformed into a luminous celebration of renewal, creativity, and culture. It's as if the city itself awakens with spring, shedding its winter cloak for a dazzling outfit of light and color.
This year's festival intertwines history, nature, and sustainability themes, much like spring weaves life back into the landscape. Iconic landmarks such as the Lotrščak Tower and the Strossmayer Promenade shimmered with innovative light displays, echoing the way the first blooms brighten the once-barren branches of the trees.
The event featured 25 installations across 22 carefully chosen locations, each one telling a unique story that blends art with the essence of spring—a time of growth and fresh beginnings. International artists from eight countries brought their own creative interpretations of spring to Zagreb.
Among the highlights was "WAVE" on Ban Jelačić Square, an innovative art installation that uses artificial intelligence to create an interactive experience. Inspired by the fluidity of natural waves, it reshapes technology into a lively artistic narration that captures the senses.
"Legacy" on King Tomislav Square was a light installation that celebrated the reign of King Tomislav, the first Croatian king, by showing the foundations that he had set for the future of Croatia, while "Aerial ballet" at the nearby JJ Strossmayer Square was a light installation in which butterfly-like structures fly through space, moved by wind.
With its dazzling displays and heartfelt themes, this year's festival left the city glowing with inspiration and a sense of hope for the season ahead.
Photo and video courtesy: Ivan Goran Žunar & Damir Dokleja
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