Back to 2002 – I am a young girl in love. The boy invites me to go to the Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary. I’ve been there a couple of times before, in the beginning it was called ‘Diáksziget’, which means Student Island. The first “festival feeling” of my life. For those who wants to feel a little nostalgia, you can watch the Sziget Festival advertisements in Kreatív Magazin year after year.
One of the most memorable action on the Sziget Festival for us was: Luminarium.
What is Luminarium?
Luminarium is an 800 m2 colorful dream world made of special plastic, foil and high-performance air blowers, a living and breathing sculpture. When the light comes in the building through the partially translucent walls, it creates a psychedelic colour magic.
The experience has been compared to the womb, maybe that is the reason behind it’s popularity. Inside there is magical silence and tranquility, and definitely some magic. Whoever enters here finds it not so easy to leave. You feel comfort and a deep peace.
The art project called Architects of Air, whose center is located in Nottingham, is in the same age as the Island Festival, it was founded in 1992. They have various structures, which are set up at festivals and larger events around the world.
Luminarium’s magic after 22 years in my life
After 22 years, in the beginning of 2024, I had the opportunity to visit these magical bubbles again. Not in Budapest, but in Christchurch, New Zealand. On the other side of the Earth. With my family: my 4 children and the same boy, with – after a lots of battles fought fairly and with honour – whom I’ve been in love ever since. Could that young girl on the Sziget Festival have imagined this? What, if not this is a Miracle itself?
In Christchurch, during the Bread and Circus Festival, everyone could visit this beautiful structure for a week.
It is hard to talk more, you must experience it!
