European Capitals of Culture 2011 launched!

As far as RUHR.2010 is concerned, the title has gone, but the cultural metropolis remains. But where has the title gone? This year’s European Capitals of Culture are Turku in Finland and Tallinn in Estonia. Never before have two title-holders been located so close to each other geographically – they lie merely 180 km apart as the crow flies.

After many years of intensive preparation, our Finnish and Estonian colleagues have finally opened their Capital of Culture year and started their programmes.

Tallinn 2011 launched the Capital of Culture year at the turn of the year on December 31, 2010. About 15,000 guests gathered on the square in front of the Estonian National Opera to enjoy the outdoor stage programme. Shortly after midnight the "guest" with the longest journey also arrived in Tallinn, by UFO … Here You can find further information and impressions on the opening ceremony in Tallinn.

The turn of the year was not only very special for Tallinn because of its reign as European Capital of Culture, but also important for the whole of Estonia as it also sounded the launch of the euro in Estonia.

The opening ceremony in Turku started a little later, namely on January 15, 2011. On this day visitors were presented a varied programme: in the afternoon they were able to view the “heart of the Capital of Culture”, the exhibition and event centre "Logomo" in which five exhibitions are already to be seen, for the first time. The highlight of the day then took place at 6.15 p.m.: a gigantic open-air show in the harbour of Turku on the past, present and future of the city. Since temperatures of -15°C prevailed, many guests used the opportunity to warm up after the event at parties and concerts in the Logomo. You can find further information and impressions on the opening event in Turku here.

RUHR.2010 wishes its colleagues the best of luck and success in 2011!