The EU GREEN alliance is proud to announce the EU GREEN Light Festival – Light for Sustainability, a dynamic week-long celebration in honour of the International Day of Light (IDL), an initiative by UNESCO held annually on May 16th. This year’s festival highlights how light and light-based technologies are central to scientific innovation, cultural expression, and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With the 2025 IDL theme, “Light Innovation Society”, the EU GREEN Light Festival showcases the transformative power of light through a diverse lineup of in-person and online events, led by partner universities across Europe. The festival is an invitation to explore how light contributes to sustainability, education, and social well-being.
Festival Highlights:
University of Oradea (Romania) – May 14th
- “Surrounding Light” Exhibition | 10:00 (GMT+3)
A visual celebration of light through eco-conscious lamp designs by students from the Decorative Arts and Fashion Design programs. The exhibition includes a short film with English text and behind-the-scenes footage of the design process. - Online Creative Workshop | 10:00 (GMT+3)
Learn to build sustainable lamps from waste materials in a hands-on virtual session.
Register here: Workshop Registration - Celebration of Light with Music | 20:00 (GMT+3)
A tranquil evening of live guitar music by candlelight and handmade lanterns, coordinated by Prof. Ariadna Mircescu of the Music Department.
University of Parma (Italy) – May 15th
- “Optical Fibers for a Sustainable Future” | 10:30–12:30 (GMT+2)
Two expert-led online seminars exploring the relationship between optical fiber technology and environmental sustainability.
Speakers under the patronage of the IEEE Photonics Society Italy Chapter and the RESTART Foundation:
• Piero Castoldi – Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa
• Sara Mazzarella – Open Fiber S.p.A.
Register here: Seminar Registration
University of Évora (Portugal) – May 16th to June 6th
- School at Light Speed Competition | May 16th–June 6th
A national competition for secondary school students to measure the speed of light using simple equipment and scientific principles. - “Better Understanding of Light… the Colours and… Us!!!” | May 16th, 16:00 and 17:30 (GMT)
Engaging sessions by Rui Dias (University of Évora), who will explore colour perception from a new angle: what if objects don’t have colours? We’ll consider the implications of this idea for the evolution of living beings, offering a perspective that goes beyond traditional biology or palaeontology. Tailored for EU GREEN Alliance students and teachers.
Link to Join In Portuguese (16:00 GMT): https://videoconf-colibri.zoom.us/j/94155703249?pwd=abKsaNGSIRJBk6eytbfInsFcbjZEry.1
Link to Join In English (17:30 GMT): https://videoconf-colibri.zoom.us/j/97549672706?pwd=5bygG2woSatxAPu79sTinQvx4pSKY0.1
- “Light: From the Visible to the Invisible” | May 28th, 15:00 (GMT)
A talk by Bento Caldeira (University of Évora), that explores light in its full range – from the visible to the invisible – by examining its physical principles and how technologies use radiations like infrared, microwaves, and X-rays to enhance our ability to see, diagnose, and explore the world and the universe.
Targeted at Portuguese secondary school students and educators.
As light continues to illuminate our paths forward—from artistic inspiration to scientific discovery—the EU GREEN Light Festival honours its enduring impact.
Join us in celebrating the power of light to drive sustainable progress and societal innovation.
For more information about the International Day of Light, visit www.lightday.org.