Illumination system for illuminating display devices, and display device comprising such an illumination

Illumination system for illuminating display devices, comprising:

• a plurality of fluorescent lamps, each fluorescent lamp comprising:
• an at least partially light-transmissive elongated discharge vessel filled with an ionisable substance, and
• a first electrode and a second electrode connected to said vessel, between which electrodes a discharge extends during lamp operation,
• wherein the discharge vessels of at least two lamps are mutually coupled by means of at least one channel, said channel being positioned at a distance of the electrodes of said lamps, characterized in that
• the illumination system further comprises driving means for applying an electrical voltage on the electrodes of the lamps, said electrical voltage being selectively divided among the first electrodes on one side and the second electrodes on the other side, wherein at least in the vicinity of said channel substantially no voltage difference is present between neighbouring lamps.