An illumination system, comprising a radiation source and a monolithic ceramic luminescence converter comprising at least one phosphor capable of absorbing a part of light emitted by the radiation source and emitting light of wavelength different from that of the absorbed light; wherein said at least one phosphor is an europium(III)- activated rare earth metal sesquioxide of general formula (YY-x-XEx)2-z(EU1-a-3Aa)z, wherein RE is selected from the group of gadolinium, scandium, and lutetium, A is selected from the group of bismuth, antimony, dysprosium, samarium, thulium, and erbium, 0 = x 1-x -REx)2-zO3:( Eu1-aAa)Z, wherein RE is selected from the group of gadolinium, scandium, and lutetium, A is selected from the group of dysprosium, samarium, thulium, and erbium, 0 = x <1, 0,001 = z = ; and 0 = a <1.