Let’s face it. Summer is all about longer days and later nights. But once fall starts to creep around the bend in late September the days get shorter and the nights end earlier. For many, that loss of light and less down time in the evening is an unwelcome adjustment. Well, at Prague’s Signal Festival held every year in October, people refuse to be held down by something as trivial as the changing of a season. This exciting and dynamic festival takes over the historic city and embraces light for a little bit longer.
Happening all across Prague for four evenings at the top cultural sites such as Old Town Square, Hibernia Palace, the Charles Bridge and Kampa Island, the Signal Festival pulsates with new technologies in outdoor lighting installations and video-mapping exhibits. Using the medium of light, artists from around the world (including homegrown Czech favorites like David Černý and Petr Nikl) illuminate the streets of the historic metropolis.
The light installations can be so much more than simple visual pieces to be enjoyed from afar. Many are interactive and encourage people to touch, move, or shout in order to manipulate the exhibits causing the lights to flash, flicker, ripple, or change color. With all of the awesome creativity in the many unique attractions, it’s no wonder that, after just one year, the Signal Festival is the most visited cultural event in the Czech Republic. And this October, the festival anticipates bigger and better exhibitions to continue its reputation as one of the top ten light festivals in Europe.
The Signal Festival is free and returns to Prague this year from October 16-19. Exhibits are located throughout the city so be sure to check the official website for recommended routes to see them all.
www.czechtourism.com/e/prague-signal-festival/
https://travelsquire.com/ts/czech-republic/stories/