The IEI Courtyard is transformed into 'A Forest of Light' this Christmas

LleidaThe Institute of Lleida Studies was inaugurated on December 1st A forest of lightThe traditional Christmas installation that each year transforms the building's courtyard into an immersive and symbolic setting to welcome the holidays.

The installation, which can be visited until January 7th, focuses on nature and respect for the environment, an increasingly important aspect of public initiatives. This year, low-energy LED micro-lights and reusable or recyclable materials have been used to reduce the ecological impact. The set design consists of about fifty natural Christmas trees of varying heights, five iron benches, and nearly 100,000 lights distributed among the trees and a series of warm LED garlands suspended vertically, creating a visual effect similar to a shower of stars. The ground, partially decorated with moss, bark, pinecones, and pieces of wood, integrates the natural environment with the historic and stately stone of the courtyard, creating a harmony that invites a leisurely stroll.

The final result is a magical forest that enhances the architectural beauty of the IEI and transforms the space into a place filled with light, emotion, and Christmas spirit. The combination of sustainable LED technology with the natural scenery creates an immersive sensory experience, designed to draw visitors into a universe of calm and beauty. This environment becomes, once again, an ideal meeting point to enjoy Christmas, take photographs, share moments with family, and let themselves be carried away by the festive atmosphere.

The artistic concept was developed by two companies from Lleida specializing in event design and decoration: Jaiak Tendencias & Diseño and Joan Conejo Decoración y Diseño de Eventos. All installed elements comply with safety regulations, and both the aerial structure—lightweight and designed to guarantee stability—and the natural trees, sourced from nurseries, were selected according to sustainability criteria. The LED lighting used is also energy-efficient and long-lasting, which helps to minimize the energy impact during the Christmas period.

Christmas cultural program at the IEI

The Christmas program at the Institute of Lleida Studies is rounded out with three other cultural activities in the Aula Magna, all at 6:00 p.m., with the aim of offering the public a variety of high-quality events. One of these took place on Thursday, December 11. Cellists Mariona Camats and Jorge Sierra from the Pau Casals Foundation performed an exceptional recital featuring pieces by Jacques Offenbach, Emanuel Moor, Reinhold Glière, Gabriel Fauré, and Enric Granados. The program also included a version of the traditional The Song of the Birdsimmortalized worldwide by Pau Casals.

Tomorrow, Monday, the Bubulina Teatre company will offer a moving and updated reinterpretation of Christmas PoemThe classic by Josep Maria de Sagarra. The staging will combine acting, narration, and live music by Valentí Maymó, who will bring an intimate and renewed dimension to the text.

The staging is scheduled for Tuesday, December 23rd.FRIEND - Discovering Pau CasalsA family show, promoted by the Pau Casals Foundation and starring the clown Clarota and cellist Irene Labrador, pays tribute to the maestro Casals. The audience will enjoy an interactive experience with live music, designed to introduce children and families to the world of the great Catalan cellist.