Munich welcomed the end of 2025 with a contemporary, fireworks free celebration: the Silvestermeile on Ludwigstraße, organized by the event agency GRAL GmbH, delighted visitors with light, music, and experiences instead of fireworks — a sustainable and fine dust-free alternative to the traditional New Year’s celebrations. A standout element was the large scale, interactive projection on St. Ludwig Church, designed as an engaging open-air experience.

WE ARE VIDEO, a Munich based studio for interactive light and video art, developed the concept, visual design, and technical implementation in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising. Around 10,000 visitors experienced the show on site and were able to actively participate in shaping it.

At the core of the installation was an interactive projection mapping setup that enabled the historic building to respond in real time to audience input. Two oversized, hand operated bellows served as analog interfaces: each pump triggered glowing spheres that rose along the church towers and, at their peak, unfolded into kaleidoscopic patterns animating the entire structure. The intuitive, low threshold interaction invited playful participation, creating a collective experience that brought people of all ages together and inspired both laughter and wonder.

PIXERA served as the central media server platform, managing the mapping, real time responses, and frame accurate synchronization of the visuals. Additional creative tools such as Notch were incorporated into the workflow. This combination ensured precise output across the complex façade structure, stable live processing, and low latency reactions to every visitor interaction — essential for reliable outdoor operation throughout the evening.

The installation at St. Ludwig Church demonstrates how modern AV technology can transform public spaces into atmospheric and low-emission environments. PIXERA provided the robust backbone for mapping, synchronization, and interactivity — a strong example of contemporary, fireworks free urban celebrations.