The Art of Darkness project kicks off!
What if darkness was an asset? The beginning of 2025 marks the launch of the Art of Darkness as Cultural Heritage of Urban Landscape project, a Horizon Europe funded initiative aimed at redefining darkness as a valuable cultural, aesthetic, and ecological resource within urban landscapes.
Coordinated by the University of Oulu, the project will unite in the next 3 years researchers, cities, and creative professionals to explore the aesthetic, cultural, and sustainability potential of darkness in urban landscapes and cultural heritage contexts.
Partners gather in Finland
The kick-off event took place in Finland, with presentations from all partners, and fruitful working sessions, allowing for the first exchanges between partners and setting the stage for a strong collaboration and impactful results we expect to obtain in the next few years!
A special thank you is due to the University of Oulu and the City of Oulu for the introduction to the Finnish way of life during the darker months, their warm welcome and the organisation of the event.
A Light and Darkness Walk offered all partners the opportunity to visit one of the future pilot sites of the project. And, to top it all, we were graced with beautiful skies and sightings of the aurora borealis.
Photos: © Aapo Mäntykangas