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).
PROGRAMME
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 (17:00 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.