LIGHTING GUERRILLA 2026
19th international festival of light
DIVERSITIES
26th May−20th June 2026
Ljubljana
This year, the International Lighting Guerrilla Festival is celebrating its jubilee 20th edition: This milestone anniversary offers a good opportunity to look back on the rich body of work spanning two decades, during which the festival has achieved exceptional recognition and established itself as one of the region’s leading events for the production and presentation of contemporary light art. A concise overview of past events could be briefly described with a word that also defines the common thread of this years’ programme edition: Diversities. The diversity of approaches in terms of artistic poetics, medium, form and, of course, content has always characterised the selection of works presented at the festival, whereby we sought to highlight the breadth and plurality of contemporary artistic voices as well as their role in shaping various experiences of public space.
This year’s festival dives into the exploration of the thematic framework of diversity on various levels, which coalesce into a peculiar effervescence of transitions between multifaceted views, experiences and meanings. Diversity is manifested in the use of the medium of light, which artists employ either as an unsubstantial material of form or as a symbolic or political gesture, shaping the viewer’s sensory experience as well as the perception of the space itself. The featured works are distinguished both by intimate, personal stories and reflections on community, technology, environment and identity. The title theme of this year’s festival can be understood as an ethical stance that highlights the acceptance and nurturing of diversity as a fundamental value, working in favour of dialogue and social openness.
Nonetheless, this diversity is also reflected in the systematic promotion of collaboration among various individuals or (educational) institutions and producers – the Lighting Guerrilla Laboratory, dedicated to educating and connecting primarily young artists, this year brings an exceptionally rich selection of projects created under the guidance of numerous mentors, experts and teachers. Also worth highlighting is the Supernova cycle with début placements in public space, authored by emerging artists of younger generations. In addition to numerous installations, projections and ambient placements in both gallery and public spaces, this year promises also a few performative events, by means of which Lighting Guerrilla festival transcends its established frameworks of the light medium and extends into the scenic arts. As part of the festival, which with the exception of the group exhibition in the Match Gallery, concludes on the Summer Museum Night, regular guided bike tours shall also take place this year on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The 20th Lighting Guerrilla festival therefore not only offers a varied selection of diverse artistic projects, but also creates a temporary community, in which differences and diversity are not obstacles, but rather a unique potential; the festival thus once again opens up a space for new artistic experiences and insights, and, above all, offers us an opportunity to see the world around us in a different light, if only for a moment.
[Matjaž Brulc]
Open-air projects can be viewed every day of the week between 9:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.
Guided bike tours are held every Wednesday and Saturday during the festival; the meeting point is in front of the Vžigalica Gallery (Match Gallery) at 9 p.m. The guides are lighting guerrillas Nika Erjavec and Ulla Žibert. Tours are in Slovene language.
We are not liable for any programme changes due to force majeure; follow updated information on our website or social networks.
Cover photo: Robert Sochacki