Cefmof will take part in the City of Light Festival in Jyväskylä this September. This year, we are supporting the Ruusupuisto light art area, which combines internationally acclaimed art with future energy solutions.
The highlight of Ruusupuisto will be the Fantastic Planet installation by Australian light artist Amanda Parer, featuring three enormous illuminated figures that take over the landscape. These giant humanoids, as if arriving from another planet, give the impression of just having landed on Earth and gently exploring our “Fantastic Planet.” The work has toured the world, and now the City of Light audience will also have the chance to experience its enchanting atmosphere.
Green hydrogen lights up the Fantastic Planet installation
One of the illuminated giants in the Fantastic Planet installation at Ruusupuisto is powered by the FC Tundra hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, which has been refueled with green hydrogen. The hydrogen from the car’s tanks is converted into electricity in the fuel cells, which would normally power the car’s electric motor. In this case, however, the electricity is directed through the car’s inverter (DC–AC converter) and supplied to the artwork’s lights and fans. The car thus functions like a mobile power plant: the electricity it produces illuminates the human-shaped artwork, fills it with air, and gives it form.
Transportation to Mattilanniemi by hydrogen bus
In addition to regular services, hydrogen-powered Linkki buses will operate nonstop shuttle rides every 15 minutes from Jyväskylä city center to Mattilanniemi, Thursday to Saturday, 25–27 September, from 19:00 to 23:15.
The rides are free of charge and will run the route Linkkikeskus (Downtown stop 8) – Vapaudenkatu – Ruusupuisto – Mattilanniemi – Linkkikeskus. Passengers can board at any stop along the route.
The timetables and routes for all free public transport services arranged in connection with the City of Light event can be found in the Linkki route guide at https://reittiopas.jyvaskyla.fi. Drivers will do their best to get passengers to their destinations, but passengers’ flexibility is also appreciated in these special arrangements.
Alongside light art, visitors in Ruusupuisto can explore hydrogen technology and enjoy a wide range of program activities, offering concrete perspectives on sustainable energy solutions alongside artistic experiences.
Program at Ruusupuisto
Hydrogen, Light and Power
📍 Ruusupuisto Square
🗓 Thu–Sat 25–27 September, 7–11 p.m.
Cefmof invites you to experience hydrogen, light, and power in Ruusupuisto! Light art installations powered by hydrogen, an interactive exhibition, and a hydrogen pizza oven demonstrate how hydrogen could become part of our everyday lives in the future. Arrive conveniently on the hydrogen bus, and top off your visit with a free tasting of hydrogen-baked pizza.
Fantastic Planet – Amanda Parer (AUS)
📍 Ruusupuisto Square
🗓 Thu–Sat 25–27 September, 7–11 p.m.
Amanda Parer’s installation brings three monumental figures of light to Ruusupuisto. With quiet curiosity, the giant humanoids explore their surroundings and invite the audience to see familiar landscapes on a new scale. The work was inspired by the French-Czech sci-fi animation La Planète sauvage (1973).
Valoukot – Lentoi Films (FI)
📍 Ruusupuisto Square
🗓 Fri–Sat 26–27 September, 8–11 p.m.
Valoukot emerge from dance, light, and illusion. These stick-figure characters appear and vanish unexpectedly, moving among the hydrogen pizza oven, the exhibition, and the light installations.
Hydrogen Pizza Oven
📍 Ruusupuisto Square
🗓 Thu–Sat 25–27 September, 7–11 p.m.
How about a free hydrogen pizza? The hydrogen pizza oven uses clean-burning hydrogen to bake pizzas without carbon dioxide emissions. The flame provides steady, high heat that makes the crust crispy and the toppings flavorful. Because hydrogen burns purely, producing only water vapor, it preserves the natural taste of the ingredients. Quantities are limited—arrive early to secure your slice!
Program at Ruusupuisto
Hydrogen World Exhibition
📍 Aalto2 Museum Centre
🗓 25–27 September, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. (otherwise Tue–Sun, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.)
This free exhibition focuses on green hydrogen and its role in everyday life in Central Finland now and in the future. A key theme is hydrogen-powered transport and its importance in Central Finland’s path toward carbon neutrality. Visitors can even try refueling a hydrogen bus.
Hydrogen Workshop
📍 Aalto2 Museum Centre
🗓 Fri 26 September, on the hour between 7–10:30 p.m.
At the Researchers’ Night workshop, you can produce hydrogen yourself and see how it can be used to light up lamps. Guided by experts from JAMK University of Applied Sciences, you’ll also explore microalgae—tiny but powerful future energy producers with potential significance in hydrogen production.
About the City of Light Festival
The annual City of Light Festival will be held over three days in Jyväskylä from 25–27 September 2025. The event showcases both international and Finnish light art, special lighting installations, and an extensive program of side events organized by partners.
The festival route, artwork descriptions, and side program are published on the event’s website. A PDF festival map and full program can be downloaded from valonkaupunki.jyvaskyla.fi.
A printed event brochure will be distributed to households (where advertising delivery is permitted) on Wednesday, 17 September in Jyväskylä, Muurame, and most parts of Laukaa and Äänekoski.
The festival route features over 20 different light artworks and special lighting sites. In addition to Finnish artists, international works will arrive from seven countries: Australia, Poland, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Latvia, and Belgium.
This year, visitors can also enjoy more than 50 side events, including concerts, performing arts, exhibitions, workshops, markets, discos, and wellness activities—organized by a wide range of partners.
