Eindhoven, 7 May 2025 – After leading the light art festival GLOW with heart and soul for ten years, director Ronald Ramakers has announced his departure. In 2025, he will take the artistic lead one last time for a special anniversary edition. After that, he will hand over the reins to a successor.

Under his leadership, GLOW evolved into an inclusive and accessible festival with connection at its core. Thanks to Ronald’s vision and direction, GLOW has become an event of real significance for the city and surrounding municipalities. The light art festival brings together residents, school pupils, students, and the business community in a shared creative process. Every November, it brings not only wonder to public spaces but also fosters connection, encounters and collaboration. GLOW also gives a positive boost to the local hospitality sector and strengthens the social fabric within and between neighbourhoods, organisations and generations.

Light art connects
Ronald Ramakers:
“GLOW isn’t just an organization. It’s not just a logo. Not even a budget, no matter how challenging that has always been. No, GLOW is what happens in and around Eindhoven every November. It’s that moment when night falls, yet our city doesn’t go dark. It’s where people walk, cycle, pause. Where they look, feel, and experience. Where people meet. Where memories are made. Where traditions are built. That is GLOW. Ten years ago, GLOW wasn’t what it is today. Back then, we purchased artworks and presented them with care. But now? Now we create together. Residents, students, schoolchildren, artists, entrepreneurs, municipalities—we’ve become one collective. Light art connects us, and together we prove that.”

The pandemic year
A moment Ronald will never forget is the pandemic year.
“When the world came to a standstill, GLOW carried on. I stayed at the Pullman hotel and stepped outside in the evening – the sky was tinted blue, and the mist added a magical atmosphere. Everywhere, people were walking, cycling, standing still, and watching. Even the mayor rode past on his bike. Connection, in a time of distance. It touched me deeply.”

Accessibility
One word to sum up the development of the past decade? Increasing accessibility – to connect even more people through light art. In recent years, GLOW has grown into an event that belongs to everyone. One city. One light art festival.
Ronald: “Making GLOW widely accessible was my mission. Just like keeping the conversation going—with everyone. My personal motto has always been: Through (light) art, I connect the world at heart. I’ve worked towards that for many years. And now, it’s time to pass the torch.”

The succession process has been initiated by the Supervisory Board, in consultation with the festival’s core team. The name of the new director is not yet known.