Inauguration of the European Culture Capital Year this Saturday
NEWS
"Burning Snow," the inauguration ceremony launching Umeå's Capital of Culture year, will bring together Sami culture, luminous helicopters and hundreds of dancers. The ceremony will take place on and around the Ume River, and it can even be viewed live online.
Umeå has been appointed the European Capital of Culture for 2014, and the opening ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 1. The "Burning Snow" ceremony can be watched in the Umeå city centre around Rådhusparken between 17:00 and 18:00.
The opening ceremony will celebrate Sami culture and include a compilation of artistic expressions, such as music and dance accompanied by a light and fire show.
Sveriges Television (SVT) will present a live sending online in the Swedish and Sami languages, and SVT2 will have an hour-long program sent from Rådhustorget at 21:30 on Saturday evening.
Local buses will be running for free for those in Umeå for the event. The city centre will be closed to private traffic.
A specially designed mobile app for Umeå2014 has been created for the Umeå Capital of Culture year, and free wireless internet will be made available in the city centre during the opening weekend. Spectators are also encouraged to participate in the inaugural ceremony by bringing flashlights for the light show.
