Helsinki's annual Lux Helsinki light festival brings light art to the city in the middle of winter. One of the most touching works at the 2024 festival was seen at the Hietaniemi cemetery , where light artist Ekku Peltomäki created the work Retriitti – Finlandia, part 2, a light epic .

The work was located in the area of the Heroes' Tombs and dealt with themes of Finnish history, remembrance and silence. The combination of light, space and music created a peaceful and respectful atmosphere in the environment, which differed from Lux Helsinki's more spectacular projection works.

Capital AV was responsible for the technical implementation of the work. The Hietaniemi cemetery is a historic and valuable environment, where all technical solutions had to be implemented carefully and with respect for the environment. During the installations, special attention was paid to ensuring that the structures and cabling blended into the environment as unobtrusively as possible.

The weather conditions during the project were exceptionally challenging. During the festival, temperatures dropped as low as -20 degrees Celsius , and heavy snowfall brought its own logistical challenges to the production. However, the snow also proved to be a surprising help: the thick snow cover allowed the cabling to be hidden naturally and unobtrusively into the landscape.

Despite the wintry weather, the work was successfully constructed and offered visitors a place of silence in the middle of the Lux Helsinki Light Festival. The work, created at the Hietaniemi Heroes' Tombs, reminded them that light can act not only as a spectacular element but also as a builder of a peaceful and respectful atmosphere.