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Liverpool Transition Light Night - 10 January 2009!!!
OVER, but not
out. On Saturday, 10 January 2009, Liverpool's Year as European City
of Culture ended with a Transition of Light Night devised by the
Culture Company and produced by Walk the Plank. Over 60,000 people
flocked to the Pier Head for another free show to celebrate the hand
over to its successors:- Linz in Austria and Vilnius in Lithuania.
There was a cultural market as a finale to the EU Arts programme.
The newly opened canal area was prettily decked with floating lights
created by the Liverpool Lantern Company of Park Lane, Aigburth, and
the surrounds were lit by many paraffin lamps; the only draw back
being the rather pervasive smell, which drifted across the crowds.
Various street artists on illuminated bicycles darted around and
exquisite white paper puppets, a wolf and a young girl flitted to
and fro. Liverpool's now well known Samba Band also contributed to
the occasion as did Collisions.
Over the PA came the Liverpool Saga, a collection of verses recited
by Liverpool people, while on the 4 big screens came the animated
history of the City from prehistory to the present day and a musical
link was shown. Also a short clip of the escapades of the Liverbirds
on their flying visits to our successors.
Liverpool's Lord Mayor, Cllr Steve Rotheram, with his usual charm,
handed over symbolic cultural wreaths to the Mayor of Vilnius, Mr
Juozas Imbrasas, the Deputy Director for Linz, Mr Ulrich Fuchs and
also to David Price the boxing bronze medallist representing London
2012. The Greco-style wreaths were made by the Dutch Flower Shop of
Picton, Liverpool.
Light pictures danced
over the historic waterfront buildings. There was a sing-a-long,
enthusiastically supported by the crowd, but many said they would
have liked more community singing.
The finale was a splendid firework display from the Pier side and
from special barges on the River Mersey. The whole display was very
much appreciated. The design was by Lucy Carling of Walk the Plank,
with input from 18 Wirral Woodchurch High School pupils.
This magnificent display was witnessed, not only by the huge crowds
at the Pier Head and at the Albert Dock, but also by many gathered
on the Wirral bank. It was a very successful ending to an
inspirational year. Liverpool has proved itself more than worthy of
the title Capital of Culture despite initial hitches alluded to by
Phil Redmond as like a good Scouse wedding! Great on the day.
The Lord Mayor continues to be very optimistic and this was echoed
by many Liverpudians. We have a lot to live up to but we can do it.
After the event Liverpool remained lively, as many venues stayed
open to continue the good-natured celebrations.
Click
here to see our photographic
coverage of this historic event.
A few 08
Facts & Figure:-
► 7,000 Events
10,000 Artists 1 mechanical Spider
► 13 Royal
Visits
► 67,000
Children from Liverpool schools involved
► 119
Superlambananas
► 1,000
Volunteers on the '08 Welcome Programme
► 3.5 Million
new visitors, 15 Million visits to a
cultural event or attraction
► 60 world and
European premiers
What did you
think of Liverpool08? Was it a good
year for Merseyside and can we build on it?
Email us to
news24@southportreporter.com with
your views on this topic.
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