In the yellow light of lanterns, the cold autumn nights and the Old Town of Tallinn seem completely different from that cheerful medieval Tallinn of the summer. To complement such a romantic atmosphere at the city centre, audiences are invited to a magical cultural experience – the Light Festival Lux Matrix. The festival brings together 21 artists from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany and Italy and unites them under the concept of the Boutique Light Festival to enjoy the Latin Quarter at its best. The festival is also a part of the Baltic Light chain from Tallinn to Gdansk via Riga and Vilnius.
Lux Matrix highlights the probably most mystical part of the Old Town – the Latin Quarter – a place that is so charming that you feel like a hero of Umberto Eco’s novel The Name of the Rose. During the festival, the city wall, St. Catherine’s passage and the Dominican Monastery are enriched by new lighting forms and light installations. Combining the genuine and rigid beauty of medieval buildings with the gentleness and originality of modern art, Lux Matrix makes for a very unique cultural experience. The art of light brings a new dimension to old things. As a counter-reaction to mass-tourism and unlike the recent light festival in Kadriorg Park, Lux Matrix holds no place for big crowds. This festival allows you to enjoy Tallinn and the diverse light forms in a more intimate atmosphere.
The starting point of the festival is located in the garden of the Dominican Monastery. The monastery was the centre of cultural life of the Dominicans throughout the history of Tallinn. At the light exhibitions there, you can take a flashlight and play or walk on a mirror surface and enjoy the ceiling. Another main venue of the festival is the old city wall, which features several interactive light exhibitions. You also have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful view of the Old Town from the city wall. Perhaps the most notable light installations can be found in the silent and sometimes even unnoticeable backyard of the Old Town College. The minimalism of the straight geometric form and the brightness of colors stand in an amazing contrast with the old grey walls and huge trees of the backyard. In addition to these light installations, there are also several hidden ones in the yards and homes of the Latin Quarter, not visible at first glance.
The festival runs from 18 September until 27 September, however, only selected pieces will be available from 21 September until 27 September.
