Light artists Anat and Sivan Farag won first place in the Best Product category for the lighting design of "Education Square" in Yeruham, competing against dozens of light and illumination sculptures from around the world and representing 44 countries.
The winning project, "Education Square," competed against dozens of lighting sculptures from countries worldwide and was unanimously chosen by an international panel of judges at a ceremony in the style of the "Oscars" in Innsbruck, Austria, thanks to its unique combination of an original and innovative concept, precise architectural adaptation to the desert and urban environment, and the use of economical and durable materials aligned with sustainability values.
The project in Yeruham included the design, adaptation, and assembly of unique lighting installations, handcrafted specifically at the company's factory in Austria, including illuminated books and giant flowers up to about 3 meters tall, alongside lighting sculptures reflecting the character of each neighborhood and its community story. The project was led by the company's representatives in Israel, Anat and Sivan Farag, together with designer Arda from the international MK Illumination team.
Anat Farag, CEO of MK Illumination Israel, noted: "This is our third year in the competition, and winning first place is an especially exciting moment, particularly during the challenging period Israel is experiencing. Placing Yeruham alongside the world’s most illuminated and designed cities is proof that creativity, innovation, and light can cross borders and bring immense honor to the country. We are proud to continue illuminating public spaces in Israel and strengthen local tourism and the economy through the art of light."
Designer Arda of MK Illumination said: "Israel’s win in the Best Product category is a significant moment for the company. The Yeruham project aims to connect knowledge, community, and public space through lighting and design. The fact that a project presented in a desert peripheral city receives international recognition proves that true innovation does not depend on geographical location, but on vision, endless creativity, and collaborative partners."
This current win represents a professional peak for the company, following previous projects that reached the finals and received wide acclaim, including: The "9 Cabins of Beauty" project in Jerusalem, the illumination of Jerusalem’s pedestrian mall with around 700 lighting installations, and the "Way of Love" project and King Solomon Promenade in Eilat, which have become tourist symbols in the city.
In addition to the first-place win, the Israeli representatives achieved further notable successes, as additional projects reached the finals:
The Lumagica TLV Lighting Park was selected as one of the world’s leading projects in the Best Activation category.
The artistic menorah created for Lumagica Park was recognized as a globally significant installation combining tradition and innovation.
The Yeruham squares project was listed among the 20 most influential projects in the world for this year.
MK Illumination was founded by Klaus and Mary Mark and Thomas Mark and is considered a leader in experience lighting and urban design. The company operates in approximately 120 countries, employs over 1,000 people, and runs 10 production facilities worldwide. Each year, the company completes over 6,000 international projects in major cities such as New York, Dubai, Amsterdam, Mexico City, London, Zurich, and Stockholm, and is regarded as the global leader in its field, with an annual turnover of about €170 million. The company’s activities in Israel in recent years have focused on strategic collaborations with local authorities and public institutions, aiming to transform public spaces into centers of tourism and culture.