BODØ2024 EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE – FIRST PROGRAMME RELEASE

Next year Bodø, Norway, will be European Capital of Culture, the first city north of the Arctic Circle to hold the prestigious title. Get a peek at what’s in store for the title year - some of the highlights of the Bodø2024 programme were unveiled on February 3.

3 February marked exactly one year to the opening of Bodø2024 European Capital of Culture. More than 600 events are planned throughout the county of Nordland, and almost 100 of these were presented during Bodø2024’s first programme launch.

Many highlights
The many highlights include the world’s first 100% sustainable festival; Europe’s only land art biennale; a Midsummer's Eve bonfire bonanza; a Sámi theatre trilogy; a freedom festival; a historical journey along the Nordland Railway; a concert in a submerged cave; a 10m-high sculpture out at sea; an exhibition exploring the dark side of Nobel laureate Knut Hamsun; an opera about stockfish; a pop-up Sámi museum; Arctic food roadshows and festival; Nordland’s first ever light festival – and much more. With a year to go, the programme is still under development, and plenty more surprises await.

Grand opening on 3 February 2024
2024 will open on 3 February with a huge production in Bodø's inner harbour. The hope is to attract up to 20,0000 spectators. The Berlin-based company Phase 7 has been commissioned to put together this spectacular show, together with Nordland Theater.

And this being Nordland, it had to start with fish, of course. The tiny otolith, the cod's ear stone, contains physical evidence for each individual fish, showing how old it is, where it has been, as well as information about the environment and climate. Just like annual rings on trees. This will be the starting point for Bodø2024’s grand opening: who and what we are, who and what we want to be, and what memories we will create in the coming year.

The world’s longest party
Bodø2024 hope more than 500,000 will visit Bodø and Nordland during the European Capital of Culture year. This will be the world's longest party, both in terms of time and area covered: the county of Nordland stretches over 800km from north to south. And the festivities will last for a whole year.

The programme, which is still under development, will be continuously updated. For the latest information check www.bodo2024.no

Facts about Bodø2024

- Bodø will have status as European Capital of Culture in 2024.

- Bodø will be the first city north of the Arctic Circle to hold the prestigious title.

- More than 600 events are planned for the title year.

- European Capital of Culture is the EU’s largest culture programme. Over 70 cities have had the status since 1985.

- Only two other Norwegian cities have had status as European Capital of Culture before, Bergen in 2000, and Stavanger in 2008.

Photos from the program launch:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/49rl4nfg6w5q0ps/AACJGqYlwJrI6LX97nB-eISya?dl=0

Film

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/i7w72elsr6tt3h3/AACX8fQ1t4VubFhaUG1K-COta?dl=0

Contact for Bodø2024:

Marie Peyre

International Communications & Relations Manager

marie.peyre@bodo2024.no

+47 95448160