To mark the anniversary, Parliament will be transformed into a work of light art between November 2023 and January 2024. We will also provide insights and outlooks into the current human rights situation and enable voices from politics and society to have their say.
December 10, 2023 is the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To mark the occasion, Parliament is setting priorities highlighting the importance of human rights to democracy.
On selected days between November 8, 2023 and January 28, 2024, Austrian artist Victoria Coeln (in German) will illuminate the Parliament's facade in the "Light of Human Rights."
"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights."
This first sentence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) assures equal rights to all people — regardless of skin color, age, gender, language, religion, political or social views, ethnic and social origin. It is the first of a total of 30 Articles that the Member States of the United Nations jointly pledged to uphold in 1948.
December 10, 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the signing.
As a strong sign visible for all, Austrian artist Victoria Coeln presents the Parliament in the light of human rights.
As a symbol of social grids, the projection opens up new perspectives and a new view of the Parliament, the center of our democracy. Up close, spectral colors become visible in the grid lines. The grids and rainbow colors represent diversity, freedom, dignity and rights for all. They are complemented by lines of light which, for the artist, stand for the ethereal traces we leave behind when we think, see and recognize.
Light grids and light colors flow into the city via both ramps. They welcome people with open arms and invite them into a world of light and shadow. "Light here represents not only the technical medium but also the inner glow of people that creates new connections and gives hope, courage and confidence," the artist explains.
From November 2023 to January 2024, the portico of the Parliament Building will alternately shine in the light grids or in the color of Action Days. Precise technology ensures minimal energy consumption.
The Austrian Parliament stands in solidarity with all of those who are victims of discrimination or violence because of their faith. As part of the #RedWednesday campaign, the corresponding red of the Action Day will be redrawn on the portico of the Parliament.
The Parliament has supported the UN campaign against violence against women for years. The portico will signal this with a bright orange from November 25-29, 2023.
Parliament helps raise awareness regarding the rights and concerns of people with disabilities by participating in the #PurpleLightUp global campaign around December 3.
From December 5-12, around the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, the design uses the leitmotif of light grids and rainbow lines to highlight the unifying nature of human rights.
January 27 is the day on which survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp were liberated in 1945. The light artwork refers to this.
