Photos: Berlin Festival of Light

The annual Berlin Festival of Lights—one of the world’s best-known festivals of its kind—began last week, promising nine days of illuminations cast over 30 of the city’s most iconic structures. The light installation at Berlin Cathedral during the opening day.

The event, which began in 2005, transforms landmarks around the city including the Brandenburg Gate, Fernsehturm, Berlin Cathedral and Berlin Victory Column into a world full of light art and creative illustrations. A light installation at the Brandenburg Gate.Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters

Artists from across the world follow this year’s topic ‘New Dimensions’ for a chance to win the Festival of Lights award. An illuminated light installation called “House of Cards” goes through its technical check before the opening of the festival.Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters

Other events include organised tours of the illuminations, live music in the Berlin Cathedral and workshops on night photography. Crowds assemble around the Brandenburg Gate.Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters

More than two million tourists came to Berlin for the festival last year. Athletes perform in front of a light installation at the Berlin Cathedral.Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters

A man takes a picture of a light installation at the Brandenburg Gate.Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters

Berlin Cathedral, whose present construction was completed in 1905, is bathed in lights for the 2015 festival.Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters

The Old Royal Library, home to more than 11 million books, is among the buildings featured in the festival.Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters

Via Newsweek