20 years ago, on 27 April 2001, the Licht-Kunst-Speicherstadt association was founded in Hamburg. The initiators thus laid the foundation for the impressive brick ensemble and Unesco World Heritage Site to be brought out of its “shadowy existence” and put in the “right light” every evening. Without the association and the private-sector commitment of its members, the Speicherstadt would not shine.
Hamburg’s historic Speicherstadt is one of the Hanseatic city’s best-known sights and a centre of attraction for locals and tourists alike. For 20 years now, the illumination has been particularly popular, illuminating the red-brick warehouse and office buildings in a soft light during the evening hours.
Investment of more than 1 million euros.
This was made possible by the Licht-Kunst-Speicherstadt association. It was founded in 2001 by companies and private individuals in a joint initiative with the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and the Hamburg Port and Logistics AG(HHLA). The approximately 50 members as well as sponsors and partners created the conditions for the Speicherstadt to become a glowing eye-catcher every evening. To this end, the association has invested more than 1 million euros in recent years, generated solely from donations and sponsoring activities.
Dr. Carsten Brosda, Senator for Culture and Media: “The fact that the Speicherstadt World Heritage Site lights up for all of us cannot be taken for granted. With the founding of the Licht-Kunst-Speicherstadt association exactly 20 years ago, this extraordinary place was finally put in the right light. This is due not least to outstanding civic commitment. In the future, too, under the artistic direction of Michael Batz, our World Heritage Site will increasingly become art through light, freely accessible and even climate-neutral. A valuable symbol of Hamburg full of charm.”
Around 1,200 luminaires are now installed on the warehouse blocks and bridges between Oberhafen and Baumwall. At dusk, they transform a large part of the area into a luminous work of art until shortly after midnight, conceived by the well-known Hamburg light artist Michael Batz: “The Speicherstadt is exemplary in every respect. Its artistic illumination marked a breakthrough for contemporary lighting design in public spaces in Hamburg.