This year too we visited the annual light art festival in Stockholm inspired by Nobel Prize awarded discoveries and achievements. During the darkest time of the year it's a real treat to walk among large scale light art installations all over the inner city. It's hard to pick favorites, but here are some examples.

One Way or Another

Honoring Ralph Bunche, an American political scientist and diplomat, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950, these signposts reflect his lecture, in which he said that “The road to peace can never be traversed by threatening to fight at every bend.”

Pro Pace

As far as my experience goes back, the City Hall (Stadshuset) is always a part of Nobel Week Lights. Artwork is projected on the whole building accompanied by music. This year the installation celebrates some selected Peace Prize laureates, plus the two cities involved, Oslo and Stockholm.

I also learned that the title references the inscription on the back of the prize medal “Pro pace et fraternitate gentium”, meaning “For peace and brotherhood among men”.

Moments of Peace

I believe another recurring location for lights is the courtyard of the Nobel Prize Museum (on the other side there's the magnificent Stockholm Cathedral). This year illuminated benches were placed to sit on and listen to music and speeches by laureates.

21.09

September 21 is the International Day of Peace. This visual and sonic fresco-like video is projected on the ceiling within the Royal Palace. I think I liked this one best, it had everything: stunning imagery, multi language narration, breathtaking placement. Pictures don't do it justice, it had to be experienced in motion, preferably lying on the floor of the palace.

The week of the Nobel Prize ceremonies is an especially good one to be in Stockholm.