This year, on September 11th, as we prepare to look up in New York City for the beams of light that represent the Twin Towers, we can’t help but reflect and draw on the parallels of our own recent loss of acclaimed lighting designer Paul Marantz. This will be the first Tribute in Light our FMS and FDA teams will experience without Paul. Today, on a deeply personal level, we share in the feeling of loss along with many others in New York today.

The Tribute in Light is a powerful and poignant installation that illuminates the New York City skyline each year in solemn remembrance of the tragedy that occurred on September 11, 2001. Two brilliant beams of light, emulating the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, will pierce the night sky, serving as a beacon of hope and memory.

This commemorative piece is presented annually from dusk on September 11th until dawn on September 12th. The installation is situated on the roof of the Battery Parking Garage, located south of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, near the original site of the World Trade Center. On a clear night, the majestic beams can be seen from a radius of up to 60 miles.

Paul Marantz was brought on as the lighting consultant, and helped transform this powerful concept into a breathtaking reality. He was instrumental in the technical realization of the installation, figuring out how to achieve the two distinct, parallel beams of light. With his deep understanding of light and its emotional impact, powerful and ethereal, Tribute in Light is now a globally recognized symbol of remembrance and resilience.

The installation first debuted on March 11, 2002, marking the six-month anniversary of the tragedy. Due to its profound impact, it has become an annual tradition. It stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of a city that rose from tragedy, a luminous memorial to the lives lost, and a powerful reminder of the importance of collective memory and unity.