Lille 3000 Presents Three Exhibitions to Induce a Hypnotic State
Lille 3000's Fiesta Edition: A Celebration Amidst Troubled Times
The seventh edition of Lille 3000, the renowned cultural event in Lille, France, is currently underway and features a variety of exhibitions. The theme of this year's event is "Fiesta," a daring choice given the not particularly joyful global context.
One of the most striking exhibitions is "Golden Monoliths," an installation created by Spanish street artist SpY. Located on Rue Faidherbe, near the train station in Lille, the installation resembles futuristic ships, consisting of fourteen golden containers placed vertically. The Golden Monoliths draw a contemporary graphic line in the historic decor of Old Lille, and have been selected by the newspaper "Libération" as one of the three exhibitions to highlight among the 30 in the metropolis.
The Fine Arts Museum of Lille is another location for the seventh edition of Lille 3000. It is hosting a relevant painting exhibition, adding to the festive atmosphere of the event.
The "Fiesta" theme extends beyond the core festival period, with several exhibitions running beyond the main event. One such extended exhibition is "Carnaval d’ici et d’ailleurs" ("Carnivals from Here and Elsewhere"), which ran from December 13, 2025, to March 22, 2026, at the Hôtel Départemental des Expositions du Var in Draguignan, France. This exhibition showcased carnival celebrations and masquerades through ethnographic objects and artistic representations.
Another extended exhibition is a selection of photographs from Charles Fréger's Charivari series, hosted at the Flanders Museum as part of the Fiesta edition, displaying various carnival-related imagery. Lastly, installations inviting visitors to explore playful contradictions, sensory excess, and ephemeral beauty, blending mechanical and emotional themes, were part of the Fiesta extended offerings, immersing visitors in a world beyond the main event.
Making merry was a reflex of our ancestors in troubled times, and it seems that Lille 3000 is providing an outlet for enduring troubled times. The seventh edition of Lille 3000 is not just a party or festive event, but a cultural exploration of the power of celebration in difficult times.
\n\n [1] Lille 3000. (2025). Lille 3000 2025: Fiesta. Retrieved from https://www.lille3000.com/en/lille-3000-2025-fiesta
\n\n [2] Dallemagne, F., & Jacotin, M. (2025). Carnaval d’ici et d’ailleurs: Carnivals from Here and Elsewhere. Retrieved from https://www.hotel-departemental-des-expositions-du-var.fr/expositions/carnaval-dici-et-dailles
\n\n [3] Lille 3000. (2025). Fiesta: Extended Offerings. Retrieved from https://www.lille3000.com/en/fiesta-extended-offerings
Despite the somber global context, the "Fiesta" theme of Lille 3000's seventh edition seems to offer a respite, promising an engaging blend of lifestyle and entertainment. The installation of SpY's Golden Monoliths and extended exhibitions like "Carnaval d'ici et d'ailleurs" and Charles Fréger's Charivari series, all part of the Fiesta offerings, aim to delve into the power of celebration during troubled times.
