In a method of assembling a surface illumination system having an electromagnetic radiation emitting front side, at least one primary radiation source suitable for emitting electromagnetic radiation when operating is disposed on at least one mounting area of a flexible carrier. The flexible carrier has a front side and a back side opposite said front side, the front side of the flexible carrier defines a reference plane. The mounting area of the flexible carrier on which the primary radiation source is disposed is then bent out of the reference plane such that an optical axis of the primary radiation source extends parallel or obliquely to the reference plane. In a further step, at least one light-conducting guide having a radiation emitting front side and at least one incoupling region is disposed on the flexible printed circuit board so that in operation, the primary radiation source emits radiation into the incoupling region of the light guide and the radiation emitting front side of the light guide points in the direction of the radiation emitting front side of the surface illumination system. A corresponding surface illumination system is also described.