Credit: Claude Piscitelli / Esch2022
On Saturday 26 February 2022, the Esch2022 REMIX Opening, completely sold out event, was attended by around 18,000 revelers and another 14,000 people from 50 countries followed the livestream of the event.
The title “European Capital of Culture” will be held by the town of Esch-sur-Alzette, its surrounding ten Luxembourg municipalities of the Pro-Sud association and the eight neighbouring French municipalities of the CCPHVA (Communauté de Communes Pays Haut Val d'Alzette).
The official opening ceremony started at 17:30 in front of the Town Hall in Esch-sur-Alzette, followed by programme that lasted several hours celebrating the launch of the European Capital of Culture. The one-hour ceremony at the beginning featured speeches by Nancy Braun, Director General of Esch2022; Georges Mischo, President of Esch2022; Sam Tanson, Minister of Culture of Luxembourg; Clément Beaune, Minister of State for European Affairs, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, French Government; Margaritis Schinás, Vice-President of the European Commission for Promoting our European Way of Life, and Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.
Following the ribbon cutting ceremony in prescence of all the mayors, nineteen concerts by local bands on four different stages as well as two concerts in the Rockhal by “Future Frequencies” with local musicians, who presented the “Sound of Europe” created especially for Esch2022, were unfolded during the evening.
The highlight was the launch of a virtual space rocket that was entirely designed by children in the framework of a drawing contest organised in autumn 2021 with 350 students from Luxembourg and France on the subject of visualising the future of space.
“We are all very satisfied and happy, that so many people have joined us in the celebration of Europe and its diverse culture during the official launch of Esch2022, especially in times like these”, said Nancy Braun, Director General of Esch2022. “On behalf of all the municipalities, participants and supporters, I look forward to welcoming many guests in the entire Esch2022 region over the course of the upcoming year and beyond.”
More than 1,200 people contributed, both behind the scenes and on stage, for the Esch2022 REMIX Opening event. Some 500 service providers and employees, more than 350 creative and performance artists, 250 Remixers (volunteers from the Esch2022 community), around 50 security guards as well the members of 26 local associations and seven scouts associations were a part of the evening.
His Royal Highness the Grand Duke and Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess as well as Prime Minister Xavier Bettel also took part in the REMIX Opening, along with other representatives of the Luxembourg and French governments. Esch2022 has been under the “Haut Patronage” of Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess since February 2020.
