Lights On is one of Romania’s leading light-art festivals, launched by Asociația Daisler in 2018. I have served as its Artistic Director and curator since the first edition — transforming public spaces, urban landmarks and off-spaces of Cluj-Napoca (and, in travelling editions, Bucharest and Timisoara) into contemporary art experiences that are free for everyone.
Each winter edition brings 8–14 installations to 100,000–150,000 visitors over two weeks — art reaching people who might never enter a museum.
What the festival stands for
Quality over spectacle — a curated selection of international and Romanian light artists, not decorative illumination
Free access in public space — every city has dormant places waiting to be activated by the right artworks
A launch platform for Romanian artists and art students, connected to the European festival circuit
Member of ILO — the International Light Festivals Organisation — since 2018
Selected artists programmed
Luke Jerram — Museum of the Moon, Gaia (UK)
Alaa Minawi — Hand in Hand (LB/NL) · Leonid Tishkov — Private Moon (RU)
Studio Toer (NL) · Tape That Collective (DE) · Silviu Ciora (RO) — and many more
Editions
Cluj-Napoca — every winter since 2018 · the 2024 edition was the largest to date
Bucharest — 2021–2023 · Timisoara — 2023, part of the European Capital of Culture programme
Mi-e Dor de Tine — the festival’s travelling neon, shown in London (2019) and Chicago (2021)
Work with the festival
Artists — the open call for installations runs ahead of each edition; proposals are welcome year-round
Partners & cities — interested in a Lights On edition or a light-art intervention in your city? Let’s talk.