Light Art Knokke-Heist

The affluent seaside town of Knokke-Heist is a glittering jewel on the Belgian coast. Its chic atmosphere and upscale reputation is a powerful draw for sophisticated holidaymakers during the summer months. But in winter, even this gem loses some of its shine.

Community organizer and driving force Jean-Pierre DeSchepper approached Light Art Collection with an idea that he hoped would keep the town’s glamorous appeal alive during the darker months. A handshake sealed the deal, and we became the chief collaborator on town’s first-ever light festival, called Light Art Knokke-Heist.

Where families meet fairytales

Extending over five weekends and the Christmas holidays, Light Art Knokke-Heist featured two pieces from our collection in its first edition. Our partnership grew until a total of 14 artworks were exhibited at Light Art Knokke-Heist over the span of four years, from 2018-2021.

Because of its cozy, intimate scale, storytelling was of the utmost importance. A free app—one of the first of its kind to be used in light festivals—was developed specially for the festival, which gave visitors stories and information about each installation, as well as music to enjoy at each stop along the two-kilometer trail.

Accessibility, family-friendliness were also paramount to the festival. Each edition featured a fairytale-like storyline with a broad appeal, such as The Little Prince. Children were welcomed with coloring pages and a treasure hunt to fire up the imagination.

Together with Light Art Knokke-Heist, we are proud to have been part of a beloved tradition that brought a community together through creativity, color and the power of light art.