Elettra laboratory operates two light sources: a synchrotron radiation facility since 1993 and a free electron laser facility under commissioning. Using selected exemplary systems the talk will address the most recent achievements of synchrotron-based methods in basic and applied research and outline the new research opportunities using the free electron laser under commissioning. The emphasis will be on the extensive imaging and spectromicroscopy programs, exploring the structure and composition of technologically relevant complex materials and life matter at their natural length scales.