Summer highlights in Umeå – European Capital of Culture 2014

International choral singing, improvised outdoor theatre and a grassroots funded music festival. The Sami seasons early summer and summer in the European Capital of Culture Umeå are filled with both large and small gems.

“Umeå has long been a really creative and exciting cultural city and that is why we have been named European Capital of Culture. This summer shows that we have accelerated, with more and larger events and more visitors. It's really great and bodes well for the future”, says Fredrik Lindegren, artistic director of Umeå2014.

Sami seasons early summer and summer in Umeå consists of two short but intense periods. Early summer, Gijrragiessie, begins with the international choir festival A Choral Midsummer Light's Dream, the concert Male choirs in harmony and the season concert StadionMusik. 

The official inauguration of early summer will be held in the park Döbelns park, on the 20th of June, while midsummer celebrations takes place. At 16:00 master of ceremonies Elvira presents the artist group SIMKA’s project Baltic Sea – Floating Trunks consisting of 21 trees planted on buoys in the Ume River. Vocal quartet Kraja offers unique harmonies rooted in folk song tradition, and Sami band Ára music that creates new pathways for yoik as an art form. The cherry on top will be atmospheric choral singing from the chamber choir Sångkraft. 

Following that is a season full of art, sports, dance, theatre and more. A few examples are Swedish Beach Tour, Midnight Light Tango Festival and Shakespeare in the Park. 

“You can really tell that we’re European Capital of Culture now! Just have a look around, the choir festival and all the other events make Umeå full of life and culture”, says Marie-Louise Rönnmark, Mayor of Umeå. 

The inauguration of summer, Giessie, takes place at town hall square Rådhustorget the 11th of July, while the green festival Bloom is in full bloom. Participating is Maxida Märak, rap artist from Jokkmokk in the north of Sweden, Samuel Ljungblad, soul artist, breakdance group Fusion Force Crew and dancehall group So Special Crew. Master of ceremonies is Ottiliana Rolandsson, producer, director and writer. 

Other events are the new music festival U x U Festival with bookings such as Phoenix, Mac Miller, Thurston Moore and lots of local and renowned Swedish bands. Also Opera in the sheep house, Umeå Football Festival 2014, Elektra and so on. 

“Umeå has attracted a lot of attention during the European Capital of Culture year. Now we will manage that attention to create a more attractive city in the future”, says Marie-Louise Rönnmark. 

SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS: EARLY SUMMER
A Choral Midsummer Light’s Dream – international choir festival (17–21 June)
Chamber choir Sångkraft collects choir enthusiasts from all over Europe. At daytime there will be workshops, seminars and lunchtime concerts. In the evenings there will be more concerts and choir mingle.

Midnight Light Tango Festival – tango festival (26–30 June)
A tango festival that offers weekend courses with leading international instructors and tango world-class performances at Västerbotten’s Museum and other places in town. Organizer is Umeå's Argentine tango association, Tango Norteño.

Shakespeare in the Park (2 June–6 July)
Skuggteatern presents free summer theatre with improvised versions of Shakespeare. The model of Shakespeare in the park began in Central Park in New York and has spread all over the world.


SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS: SUMMER
Elektra – grand opera (14–23 August)
Elektra is NorrlandsOperan’s biggest production ever. Richard Strauss’s opera is based on the ancient myth of the woman who will do anything to avenge the murder of her father, King Agamemnon. The venue, 200 meters long, is created on the old military area Umestan. Elektra is staged by La Fura dels Baus.

U x U Festival – Umeå’s new musical festival (18–19 July)
Umeå's new music festival will be held for the very first time, a festival that 2 651 people together created through grassroots funding.

Swedish athletics championships (1–3 August)
One of the country's major sporting events will be held in Umeå. For three days sprinting superstars and other super talents along with Umeå's own hopes will compete with over 400 athletes for the gold.