Aarhus 2017 presents five projects

Aarhus 2017 presents five projects that take place in Aarhus and Central Denmark Region during the Capital of Culture year in 2017. Among other things, the projects rethink the Church Service, the Documentary and the Stage.

THE REFORMATION VERSION 2.0
European Capital of Culture 2017 presents 'The Reformation version 2.0' as a spectacular celebration of the 500th anniversary of Luther's Reformation. The event rethinks and frees the Service and transforms it into an event that breaks norms and challenges, surprises and entertains.

The Reformation changed history with the message that man could not pay for his salvation. Only faith could do that, and faith was between Man and God. The Church was no longer economically intermediary. 2017 is the time for reflection on Modern Man. What do we believe in? How is existence these days? Are we again trying to buy our salvation in a material world?

Artistic Director of Theatre Svalegangen Per Smedegaard explains to JP Aarhus:

“It will be an artistic event, but it will be neither theatre nor a Church Service. As an artist, I want to do everything that you do not normally do in a church – for instance clapping loudly. I have often felt like clapping at a Baptism, but you cannot make that expression of life in church. Therefore, we will work with a church ritual, as it was in Luther's time, where you were allowed to make noise,” says Per Smedegaard.

The project hopes to include a number of large churches in the region in this site-specific and spectacular event created in collaboration between Aarhus Cathedral and Theatre Svalegangen.

Date: February 2017
Location: Aarhus (and desirable six other major churches in the region)

SILKEBORG FIRE REGATTA
Silkeborg Fire Regatta is one of the largest festivals in Denmark. As a full moon event in 2017, the event will be lifted into international artistic class, when the Fire Regatta’s River Art is developed and presented in collaboration with international artists and producers.

River Art was visited by Els Comediants from Spain in August 2014. The possibilities for collaboration in the years 2015 and 2017 – culminating in 2017 – is being examined. With the theme 'Europe and Jorn' the Fire Regatta for the first time ever hosts the European Championships of Fireworks.

Besides the fireworks and River Art, the public can experience boat sailing with ornate boats and river gardens decked out in an inferno of fairy lights and live fire. And Asger Jorn tableaux with plays and fire arts, dinner in the sky over the rooftops of the city, funfair, food stalls, fire shows, music stages, party tents with music and entertainment and the beautiful 'Magic Mirror Tent'.

Date: 14.-20. August 2017
Location: Silkeborg

SYMPHONIC RESIDENCIES
In 2017, Aarhus Symphony Orchestra presents four symphonic works, which combined unfolds the history of the 20th Century through music. The four works are created in interaction between the regular ensemble of Aarhus Symphony Orchestra and invited musicians from 28 European countries. Every work is created with a new team of European musicians who will all live with local host families during their stay. While the works looks back on history, the project with its ambitious artist-in-residency hosting helps create new European relations that looks to the future.

"In some cases there will be about 52 guests and in others up to 70 guests at one time," says Music Director of the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra Palle Kjeldgaard to Århus Stiftstidende.

The project plans to present the following works:

Benjamin Britten: ‘War Requiem’
Shostakovich: Symphony no. 7 'Leningrad'
Stravinsky: "The Rite of Spring'
Arnold Schoenberg: 'Gurrelieder'

Date: During 2017
Location: Aarhus

RETHINK STAGE
In 2017, Aarhus Theatre renames their Scala Stage to ‘Rethink Stage'. Throughout the year, the plays on stage will ask the same fundamental question: What does it mean to be Danish today? The question will be asked in relation to invited international plays, directly through the theatre’s own new productions and in discussion with leading scientists and experts.

The audience can expect thoughtful, provocative, poetic and funny productions consisting of everything from works-in-progress, rethinking of science talks and staged readings to traditional theatre.

"We want to invite to a series of debates, dialogues and various talks about this question. What does it mean to be Danish in different parts of Denmark, compared to Europe and the rest of the world? The theme will run like a thread through all that will take place at the Scala Stage during 2017," says Artistic Director of Aarhus Theatre Mick Gordon to Århus Stiftstidende.

Date: All year
Location: Aarhus

MARIA EUROPE
'Maria Europe' is both 1 film and 28 films at the same time. 28 directors, one from each EU country, have each found a girl or a woman named Maria and made a documentary that tell a fragment of her life in three minutes. With the film and the films we are offered to experience women's lives in Europe in a way not previously seen.

Maria is the most common girl's name in Europe and by witnessing 28 lives, we can experience how diversity can be a strength - and how we despite our differences in many ways can recognize ourselves in each other. It is a story that can be watched together or separately. A very special documentary that is unlike any other. Radiator Film and Filmby Aarhus create the project.

Stefan Frost from Radiator Film expects that the film will be shown in cinemas and on television stations across Europe. He explains to Århus Stiftstidende:

“We have yet to decide whether the 28 Marias will represent the woman from birth to death, or whether this will be a story about 28 women of the same age. It all depends on the creative process. […] But I do know that it will be incredibly exciting to attract this much talent to Aarhus,” says Stefan Frost from Radiator Film.

Date: During the year 2017
Location: The entire region

For further info, contact Head of Press and Events Peter Vestergaard on mobile: 2013 1090 or mail: peter.vestergaard@aarhus2017.d