The city of Mons, represented by its handsome burgomaster Nicolas Martin (PC – Party of Socialists) with the hands of a pianist, – presented the programme of the second edition of the light festival ‘Le plus Grand Festival de Lumiéres’ of Wallonia. Indeed the number of ‘artists’ and installations increased – 16 installations in a 3 kilometre parkour around the city. Two weekends at the turn of January and February – 30.01-2.02 and 02.02-09.02. The main news is that by this time such a long construction as Mons Station, designed by the great architect Santiago Calatrava (back in 2006), will be put into full operation. Like all of the Spaniard’s works, the flying, rounded, lightweight structures rhyme with the flaming Gothic of Mons, and the main entrance in the form of a flying saucer rhymes with the circular architectonics of the city, on which you walk as if you were making circles.

The presentation of the Festival took place at the University of Mons, located on the Park Square, where there will be an installation by a guest star – the Japanese artist Tadashi Kawamata. His cabanas (wooden tree houses) will be illuminated by artist Mike Latona. The Japanese artist, born on the island of Hokkaido, often touches on themes of urbanism in his work, with a respect for the ‘genius of place’ and the fusion of architecture with nature. His installations, often in the form of complex wooden structures, question the transience of architecture and highlight the fragility of nature in the face of urbanisation. Within ‘Mons en Lumières’, Tadashi Kawamata explores themes of shelters, connection to nature and escape from the modern world. By integrating light into his works in a special way, he adds a magical and poetic dimension that emphasises the connection between urban life, nature and starry skies. He sets the theme of the whole festival ‘Between Heaven and Earth’.

‘Mons en Lumières’ provides the perfect occasion to shed light on an ancient (13th century) city. To discover the cultural centre of Wallonia, which somehow ended up on the periphery. On the artistic side (many of the artists in the project are students of the ARTS school), on the architectural side – you can find all European styles in it – and also on the gastronomic side. The Burgomaster promises that during these 8 days all cafes and restaurants will work more active and late. Arrive at the masterpiece of modern architecture – the creation of Santiago Calatrava – the Mons railway station! And discover gorgeous Mons!