Mi-e Dor De Tine: Light festivals, emotional narratives and Romanian diaspora

Abstract

This paper explores the significance of urban light festivals and their role in contributing to transnational identities and narratives through a detailed study of the Mi-e Dor De Tine project. This public art project serves as an example of how light-based installations shape transnational affective experiences, particularly within the Romanian diaspora across various locations around the world. Through an ethnographic and netnographic study conducted from 2018 to 2024, this research critically engages with Mi-e Dor De Tine project within the frameworks of aesthetic capitalism, affect theory, and transnationalism. The paper emphasizes that urban light festivals not only serve as tools for urban regeneration and cultural diplomacy but also play a vital role in affirming and developing complex urban identities and affective experiences.