In the heart of Bali, FIREFLY GARDEN is a living artwork where light returns to the night. Once abundant across rice fields, fireflies have nearly disappeared, their glow fading with pollution and urban growth. Together with a devoted team of local Balinese, Roosegaarde has created the world’s first large-scale breeding program to restore them as part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage.

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FIREFLY GARDEN is both science and poetry — where biology becomes design, and design becomes devotion. Each spark of light is a sign of ecological balance and a vision of a future Bali where eco-tourism nurtures rather than consumes. Instead of extracting from nature, we learn to give back, creating harmony between people and the living environment. A future highlight could be an intimate dining experience for two, surrounded by glowing fireflies — a serene glimpse of Bali’s future.

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The upcoming short film Return of the Fireflies captures this journey. Shot under red light invisible to fireflies, it enters their world without disturbance, offering a rare view of their silent courtship. More than a document, it is a luminous love story and a poetic call to action — reminding us that we may be the last generation to witness this living light.

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As Daan Roosegaarde says: “Fireflies are the gatekeepers of a better future. Their return shows us how harmony between humans and nature can begin again.”