ABOUT LUNAR FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
When the moon rises up in the night sky, the lights of LUNAR will be turned on and will give a new appearance to some of the most beautiful buildings and monuments in the city. Central squares and parks will become home of high tech light installations.
The second edition of LUNAR Festival of Lights will be held this spring in Sofia, Bulgaria. It will transform the city into a huge open air art gallery. One of the largest art festivals will gather local and international artists, who will tell stories, provoke the imagination and surprise the audience through their fascinating light art.
LUNAR Festival of Lights a private and independent initiative. LUNAR is a cultural entrepreneurship initiative and is funded only by sponsors. The festival is organised by MP-STUDIO in partnership with Festival of Lights International Production GmbH and with the institutional support of European Parliament in Bulgaria and Sofia Municipality. The festival aims to present exciting new technologies, as well as high-quality and outstanding light art to its public.
The access to all artworks part of the festival is free of charge.
ABOUT THE EUROPE DAY CELEBRATION AND VIDEO MAPPING IN BULGARIA
Since 2017 the European Parliament in Bulgaria and the Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria, in partnership with MP-STUDIO organise spectacular celebrations of Europe Day with video projection mapping shows on some of the most magnificent façades in Sofia.
Since 2019 this tradition transformed into organising light art festivals in collaboration with Festival of Lights International. The first Guest edition of the festival took place in Plovdiv – the European Capital of Culture in 2019. Seven artworks illuminated the central part of one of the oldest cities on the continent, attracting thousands of visitors.
In 2022, after the COVID-19 pandemic, on the first LUNAR Festival of Lights in Sofia was organised. It became a 4-day celebration of art, imagination and hope, which was visited by more than half a million citizens and guests of the city.
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
“We are Skills” competition is organised by MP-STUDIO with the institutional support of the European Parliament in Bulgaria, as part of the second edition of LUNAR Festival of Lights. In the days between 11-14 May 2023, the seven finalist artworks will illuminate one of the most popular building in Sofia – the Regional History Museum – Sofia. Artists from all around the world will have the opportunity to celebrate human abilities and how they connect present and future.
The competition will mark the European Year of Skills, by focusing on the impressive skills and amazing creativity of the projection mapping artists, who masterfully combine storytelling and infinite imagination.
THEME
We are skills
In the European Year of Skills, we explore what abilities we need to be an active part of the society and to look boldly to the horizon. How to update ourselves and the world around us to live in a peaceful, balanced and compassionate society. A community where everyone is a valued part and contributes to the collective good.
Let’s embrace the bright visions of the future and see where they take us.
PROJECTION MAPPING VENUE
SPECIAL AWARDS
A total of seven finalists will be selected by a 5-member jury. Their artworks will be projected on the facade of Regional History Museum – Sofia every evening between May 11th-14th 2023, from 21:00 p.m to midnight.
The short-listed candidates will be announced as finalists on the website www.lunarlights.eu and on the social media pages of the festival.
The winning artworks will be awarded as follows:
DEADLINES
| 06 March 2023 | Competition announcement |
| 19 March 2023, 23:59 CET | Filled Application Form, Portfolio & signed Agreement to [email protected] |
| 17 April 2023, 23:59 CET | Teaser / Preview of your work & Creative Concept | First Screening |
| 30 April 2023, 23:59 CET | Final entry work | Final delivery |
| 03 May 2023 | Announcement of the 7 finalists |
| 11 – 14 May 2023 | Finalists artworks to be projected as part of LUNAR Festival of Lights |
| 14 May 2023 | Winners announcement and awarding ceremony |
*The event schedule might change depending on the venue, event circumstances, and the COVID-19 situation.
APPLICATION FORM & PORTFOLIO
You can participate in the Competition by sending ONE email, which contains all documents needed for the submission: filled Application form, signed Agreement and portfolio, at [email protected]. Submission deadline for the applications: 19 March, 23:59 CET
All documents can be downloaded at the end of the publication.
ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY FEE
Entry is free of charge.
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION
The organisers do not cover travel and accommodation expenses, in case the finalists would like to visit the projection mapping airings. It is the artists (finalists) own responsibility to take charge of their accommodation and travel planning.
The second edition of the LUNAR Festival of Lights will take place in Sofia, between 11 and 14 May 2023. The art event will transform the central part of the [...]
