2020 INTERNATIONAL HERSTORY LIGHT FESTIVAL

Countess Markievicz by Jim Fitzpatrick

Brigid by Courtney Davis illuminating The GPO

Fetes des Lumière, France

Brigid by Courtney Davis lighting Kildare Cathedral

Fatin Al Tamini illuminating the GPO

Christine Buckley on St Mary’s Pro Cathedral #StandForTruth

Mary Magdalene by Jim Fitzpatrick

Blazing a Trail by Szabolcs Kariko at EPIC Museum

Ursula Burke on Ulster Museum

Brigid 'Goddess and Saint' by Jim Fitzpatrick

A Girl from Mogadishu

Sara Philips lighting the National Museum of Ireland

Kate O' Brien on the National Library of Ireland

Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell on the Titanic Museum

Brigid by Amy Guilfoyle on the GPO

Brigid by Dee McKiernan on Kildare Cathedral

Lilian Bland by Elle Mc Greevy on Ulster Museum

IRELAND CALLS ON HER SISTERS WORLDWIDE TO EMERGE FROM THE SHADOWS INTO THE LIGHT

The Herstory Light Festival is an annual global event celebrating women and equality over the weekend of Brigid’s Day (1st February), inspired by Ireland’s triple goddess and matron Saint. Herstory is championing a campaign to make Brigid’s Day a national holiday - sign the petition.

The 2020 festival spotlighted mothers and grandmothers, migrant women, A Girl from Mogadishu, trans women and non-binary femme people, Northern Irish peace heroines and lost trail blazers in the arts, science, politics and activism. Thanks to our event partners Dodeca and Panasonic for the spectacular Herstory Light Shows in Dublin, Belfast and Kildare.

"Women's achievements and struggles have been lost in the shadows for too long, resulting in global inequality and a regression of women's rights. That's why Herstory is harnessing the alchemical power of light, to celebrate women and equality, spotlight inequality, and create visions for a World of Equals."

- Melanie Lynch, Founder of Herstory

Art by Jim Fitzpatrick, photo by Kilian Kennedy

#IlluminateHerstory by Ogilvy Madrid

Mary Magdalene by Jim Fitzpatrick illuminating a Magdalene Laundry

RTÉ 6.01 News Headlines

GeoPop Bazuka with art by Courtney Davis on the GPO

#IlluminateHerstory by Ogilvy Madrid

Art by Courtney Davis, Photo by Andres Andres Poveda

Boann, Goddess of the Boyne, by Jim Fitzpatrick

Art by Julia Dunin Photo by Dani Gill

Credit: Wanda Film Festival

Marie Collins on St Mary’s Pro Cathedral #StandForTruth

GeoPop Bazuka with art by Courtney Davis

Credit: Wanda Film Festival

Art by Courtney Davis, Photo by Didier Riva

The Herstory Light Festival launched in 2017 as a grassroots light festival and quickly gathered viral momentum around the island of Ireland, with castles, museums, theatres, libraries, offices and homes illuminating in celebration of women and girls. In 2018, the festival generated 26 million Twitter impressions, making the RTÉ 6.01 News Headlines. Only in its 2nd year, the festival went international with participation in the USA, UK, Spain, Sweden, France, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Poland.

A FESTIVAL FOR THE PEOPLE

The beauty of light festivals is everyone can get involved - you can light up a national landmark or your living room. It's so simple. All you need is a light projector and some images from family photo albums or local archives. And there's no shortage of light projectors - you will find one in every classroom and boardroom. This is a grassroots festival for the people and we hope that no matter where you live in the world, you will spread the word to friends and family. There are 4 universal themes running over 4 nights. Click here for novel ideas to illuminate and honour the women you love. Book a landmark light show with our event partners Dodeca.