Liverpool: European Capital of Culture 2008
(2008 01 11 15:59)<< back
On the weekend of 11 and 12 January, Liverpool started celebrating the beginning of its term as European Capital of Culture 2008 with two spectacular events: The People's Opening and Liverpool - The Musical. They launched a year-long programme of more than 350 events, which are set to attract an extra two million visitors and boost the economy by £100m.
The comprehensive guide to European Capital of Culture 2008, containing more than 350 events,
is now available. Find out more here.
The People's Opening
Venue: St George's Plateau, Lime Street.
The ceremony started on Friday, 11 January at 20:08 GMT and attracted tens of thoousands spectators. It included a spectacular performance from the rooftops surrounding the cultural heart of the city. This was the official People's Launch of the Year of Culture.
This event featured community choirs and aerialists, performers such as Ringo Starr and The Wombats and an epic aerial ballet of dancing cranes, containers and scissor lifts. More than 600 performers appeared on stage during the event
Liverpool - The Musical
Venue: ECHO Arena Liverpool, Kings Dock
On 12 January 2008 at 20:08 GMT, there was the premiere of Liverpool - The Musical celebrating both the past and the future of the city. It was created specially to open Liverpool's new 10,600 state-of-the-art arena. Integrating live performances and film in a very innovative way, vertically stacking performers seven stories into the air, the show features: Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in collaboration with No Fakin DJs, Ringo Starr, Echo and The Bunnymen, Ian Broudie, The Farm, Riuven, The Wombats, Pete Wylie, Dave Stewart and the people of the city.
More info on the Liverpool'08 website.