Sistema de llums d’oli
Jardins de llum 2026 Light Festival.
Manresa, 14 – 15 February 2026.
Oil lamps were the main lighting system in Catalan homes and farmhouses for thousands of years, from antiquity well into the 20th century. The discovery and gradual democratization of electricity brought about a radical technological shift: light bulbs provided more light and were far more convenient to switch on and off.
As a result, the oil lamp—also known as a hook lamp, gresol or cresol, among other names—came to be considered completely obsolete, despite offering enormous potential for reuse, since it could burn any type of used oil, animal or vegetable fat, and so on.
Within the framework of the Jardins de Llum festival in Manresa, we wanted to revive this very special technology and highlight its value once again.
All images by Montse Pinel.
As a result, the oil lamp—also known as a hook lamp, gresol or cresol, among other names—came to be considered completely obsolete, despite offering enormous potential for reuse, since it could burn any type of used oil, animal or vegetable fat, and so on.
Within the framework of the Jardins de Llum festival in Manresa, we wanted to revive this very special technology and highlight its value once again.
All images by Montse Pinel.
