Warsaw, Poland – Royal Festival of Lights

The world seems to have gone crazy about featuring Festivals of Light. Almost every large city seems to host such an event, at least once a year. I must admit, that there is something magical about all these festivals. Be it fireworks, Asian lantern launching, or European mappings on facades of old buildings, lit, dancing fountains, or laser light shows, all seem to serve their purpose of attracting crowds. I love Festivals of Light. Watching how thousands upon thousands of lights shine, dance or pulsate at the same time, delights me. It is a form of magic! The magic that truly exists! The magic you can almost touch! Warsaw has now joined the club of cities that bathe themselves in lights. The Royal Festival of Lights takes place every year in Wilanów Palace which is located in Wilanów district of Warsaw. Wilanów Palace and its gardens are a special place in the city. The complex survived the time of Poland’s partitions and both World Wars and has preserved its authentic historical qualities. It is one of the most important monuments of Polish culture, which is often skipped by tourists due to its suburban location. This is a huge shame I would say. I guess, choosing the location of the festival wasn’t random. People that live in Warsaw know how awesome Wilanów complex is and nobody has to tempt them to visit. But, the city authorities wanted other people to come and see the splendor of Wilanów too, and the Festival of Light was the best possible advertisement.

The time of the festival isn’t random either. It starts at the end of October and extends to the middle of March and hopefully the end of the winter! It seems that this is the dead season in tourism, at least in Central Europe. But autumn and winter do not have to be boring, grey, and gloomy. Warsaw’s authorities made sure to show that the colder months might be as attractive as warmer and sunnier months.

Once the night comes sooner in Wilanów, the lights flash on, and the magic starts. When most gardens and parks hibernate calmly under a thin layer of snow, this unusual garden doesn’t go to sleep for the winter, on the contrary – it sparkles with many colors and hides many surprises! I think the winter makes Wilanów even more charming than it is during the tourist season. You could say that there are no flowers then and the trees are leafless, and I would agree with you at first. But, then I would add „Are you sure?”. In the winter season the plants, including lilies, dandelions, foxgloves and tulips in Wilanów are bigger than people. So are the butterflies, wasps, earthworms, and ladybugs! It is so much fun to wander among them all. So what if they are artificial!?

In spite of the autumn-winter monotony “The Magic Garden of the King” delights with the lights, colors, and diversity. It is truly a magical place, for both kids and adults. The garden’s objects are increased to such an extent that even a grown-up can feel like a little kid. If you would ever want to check what it is like to be Thumbelina, then Wasraw’s Festival of Light is the best place to do so.