Temple of Heaven
The circular roofline and layered eaves translated a well-known architectural form into an illuminated structure.
Brussels · 22–28 February 2018
Zigong Lanterns at Brussels’ Grand-Place
For the 2018 EU-China Tourism Year, large lantern displays brought Chinese craft and Belgian landmarks together in the centre of Brussels. Our team worked on the design and production of the illuminated pieces shown in this case.
Project overview
A public lantern display shaped around two cultures
The exhibition, titled Light the Heart of Europe, ran at Brussels’ Grand-Place and nearby public spaces from 22 to 28 February 2018. It formed part of the EU-China Tourism Year and used illuminated landmarks and cultural symbols to create a direct visual conversation between China and Belgium.
EventLight the Heart of Europe
LocationGrand-Place, Brussels
Period22–28 February 2018
Our workLantern design and production
The setting
Designing for one of Brussels’ most recognisable public spaces
Grand-Place is surrounded by richly detailed historic façades. Any temporary display placed there has to be readable after dark without competing with the square itself. The lanterns therefore relied on strong silhouettes, clear colour relationships and forms that visitors could recognise from different points around the open space.
The project connected familiar Chinese subjects with a Belgian landmark. A Temple of Heaven-inspired structure provided the architectural centrepiece, while the Atomium appeared as a local reference. Blue-and-white porcelain, Chinese opera imagery, pandas and red lantern elements extended the story across the surrounding area.
Design language
Landmarks, traditional craft and a shared city setting
The value of the display came from the relationship between the individual lanterns. Each subject had its own identity, but the colours, light levels and scale needed to feel coherent when seen together across the square.
The Atomium
A local icon gave the exhibition an immediate connection to Brussels rather than presenting Chinese imagery in isolation.
Porcelain and opera imagery
Blue-and-white patterns and expressive opera motifs added close-range detail alongside the larger architectural pieces.
Pandas and red lanterns
Familiar forms helped the display remain welcoming and easy to understand for families and international visitors.
Dragon forms are another familiar part of Chinese lantern design. This illustration is included as a cultural motif rather than as documentary photography of the Grand-Place installation.
From concept to structure
Turning cultural references into buildable lanterns
Recognising a landmark in a drawing is different from recognising it as a large illuminated form. During design development, the team simplified complex architectural detail into the rooflines, proportions, colours and surface patterns that mattered most from a visitor’s viewpoint.
The production work then translated those decisions into shaped frames, translucent surfaces and internal lighting. Large pieces also had to be divided into practical sections for transport while keeping their intended outline after assembly.
That balance—cultural accuracy, nighttime clarity and buildable structure—is still central to the way we approach custom lantern projects for public events.
Project footage
See the Brussels lantern display after dark
The video shows how the illuminated structures sat within the city setting and how their scale changed when viewed beside the surrounding architecture.
Project footage from the Brussels display. Playback starts only when selected.
Event records
Public reporting confirms the event context
Official and contemporary reports confirm the exhibition dates, its Grand-Place setting, its connection to the 2018 EU-China Tourism Year and the main lantern subjects. Together with our project records, they provide the context for the design and production story above.
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Questions about the case
Brussels lantern event FAQ
What was the 2018 Brussels lantern event?
The event was Light the Heart of Europe, a Chinese lantern exhibition held as part of the 2018 EU-China Tourism Year. It brought large Zigong lantern displays to Brussels’ Grand-Place and nearby public spaces.
When and where did the Brussels lantern event take place?
The exhibition ran from 22 to 28 February 2018 at Brussels’ Grand-Place and surrounding locations in central Brussels.
Which lantern designs appeared at Grand-Place?
Official event reports described designs based on the Temple of Heaven, the Atomium, blue-and-white porcelain, Chinese opera imagery, pandas and red lanterns.
What was Star Factory Lantern responsible for?
For this project, our work covered lantern design development and production in Zigong, turning the approved cultural themes into illuminated structures prepared for the Brussels display.
Is this the same project as Lightopia Brussels at Grand-Bigard Castle?
No. This case covers the 2018 EU-China Tourism Year lantern exhibition at Brussels’ Grand-Place. The later Lightopia event at Grand-Bigard Castle is documented in a separate case study.
Can a new cultural lantern display be developed from this approach?
Yes. A new project can combine local landmarks with Chinese lantern craftsmanship, but the design should be developed around the new venue, audience, cultural context and installation conditions rather than copying the Brussels display.
Plan a cultural display
Tell us about the place and story you want to illuminate
Share the venue, event dates, available space and the cultural or local references you want visitors to recognise. Our team can review how those ideas may translate into a custom lantern display.