...Stavanger 2008...

Stavanger, Norway
European Capital of Culture 2008

The EU Council has decided: Both Liverpool and Stavanger are designated European Capitals of Culture 2008. This is the first time that a non EU-country has been given this title after new rules were applied. The Panel was particularly impressed with the daring Program that Stavanger was proposing, commenting that the artistic quality was excellent, including a remarkable contemporary program of challenging nature. Over 150 different arrangements will be held in the region in 2008. Among these are a Greek drama to put the concept of a European cultural heritage in perspective, This will involve the entire community, from the theatre and symphony orchestra to amateur choirs and bands. A cast of extras numbering in the thousands, with the inhabitants of the Stavanger region representing the populace involved in the drama is envisaged.

Pictures from the opening in Stavanger, January 12, 2008:

26 drummers played at Breiavatnet before the parade.

2000 participants in the parade that lasted over 1 hour. Here represented by the French group Croisiere Klezmer.

All the municipalities of Rogaland county were represented. They had different themes such as Nature, Light and Words.

The opening ended up in the largest fireworks display in Norway - ever! 1,7 tons of fireworks amazed the 50.000+ spectators for seven minutes.

Further reading:

• Stavanger2008 – European Capital of Culture, The Norway Post, January 14, 2008

• A tale of two cities of culture; Liverpool and Stavanger, The Independent, January 14, 2008

• Video of the opening day (NRK), January 12, 2008

• Background: Stavanger: European Capital of Culture for 2008, Monsters and Critics.com, January 11, 2008

• Discover the other capital of culture, The Guardian, January 9, 2008

• Welcome to the other capital of culture, BBC, January 9, 2008

• Room for 50,000 downtown, Stavanger Aftenblad, January 9, 2008

• 'It's like clothes shopping; you might find something special hidden', The Scotsman, January 3, 2008

• European cultural capital Stavanger looks beyond oil into its future, EarthTimes.org, January 1, 2008

Here is a picture of the countdown board in the middel of town when it started counting down days until the opening January 12, 2008.