Under the FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS brand, New York 2014 also became part of the exclusive group of cities that light up their streets and buildings. On November 6, 2014, the New York FESTIVAL OF LIGHT let the Big Apple shine. The initiators Liam O’Brian and Ira Levy had taken the Berlin FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS as a model and adapted it to the American metropolis.

Liam O’Brian said: “From Berlin we build a bridge to New York. Both festivals share the vision of connecting people’s hearts with light art and love.” The two were supported by the FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS team from Berlin. Birgit Zander, the organizer of the Berlin festival, took an important role as a member of the advisory board of the New York counterpart.

There was an exchange about light, projections and mappings – of course also between the artists themselves. In 2014, a renowned artist was already represented at both festivals: American Nancy Burson had designed a motif on the Berlin Cathedral and later contributed an illumination to the New York festival.

About her illumination on the cathedral she said: “The significance of this motif forms the bridge between the two FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS in Berlin and New York. Both cities are connected in a special way.”