Lumina park: Extravagance and waste of expensive electricity? Prague has a new light installation
Voices are heard from all sides that in the time of the energy crisis that the world is currently going through, people should try to save and reduce their consumption. Somewhat illogically, you can then organize various light shows and performances. Just a few days ago, the Signal Festival, often referred to as the festival of light, ended, and already in these days Prague has another light installation, namely Lumina Park in Šárecký údolí. And while Signal was essentially just a weekend affair, during which Prague residents could see video mapping of St. Ludmila’s Church, for example, Lumina Park will be open until February next year.
So is it frivolity and waste of expensive electricity? According to the organizers, this is not the case. In Lumina Park, visitors can enjoy a 1.5-kilometer long walk lined with hundreds of thousands of energy-saving LED lights, which is introduced to the magical story of Alice in Wonderland. There are more than 100 light sculptures that are up to seven meters highnevertheless, the entire park does not have significant energy consumption.
Modern technology saves energy
“Lumina Park is built on energy-saving LED technologies and meets all energy standards. Its daily consumption is 45 kWh, which is comparable to about two pizza ovens. At the same time, it also contains an attraction that generates its own energy – it is a carousel that draws energy for its operation from how people spin it,” explains Karolína Steinerová Baloo & Groot, which provides communication for Lumina park, for Blesk.
It’s the same with Signal Festival. Although it had a higher consumption than Lumina park, it is far from what it might seem at first glance.
“Signal Festival tries to minimize the impact of the event on the environment in the long term. It uses resources with a reduced need, limits the creation of printed programs and promotional items. We are always looking for ways to improve. Furthermore, to motivate visitors to walk to the event, we deal with the production of foreign works locally and choose ecological materials that can be further recycled,” explains festival director Martin Pošta.
Interestingly, Signal Festival is not as energy intensive as I thought. Electricity consumption in 2021 was roughly 10,000 kWh, which corresponds to about CZK 42,000 or the average annual appliances of about three households. At the same time, we partially turn off the lamps around the festival so that the works stand out more. The total consumption is thus compensated very well,” adds Pošta.
In addition, people who visit one or the other event also keep the lights on and off in their homes at that time, so again there are savings. And while the people of Prague have to wait until next year for the next edition of the Signal Festival, you can go to Lumina Park without remorse until February next year. Standard admission is 220 CZK on weekdays and 250 CZK on weekends. The park offers several types of discounted tickets or completely free entry for children’s homes, for example.
The Signal Festival started in Prague: The audience was paralyzed by video mapping on Náměstí Miru Dan Sestak
Festival Signal 2022.
Author: ČTK/Vít Šimánek