26 February will certainly remain in the memory of many Esch residents who saw their city officially become European Capital of Culture for the year 2022. The coming twelve months promise to be rich in cultural events since no less than 2,000 events are on the programme. To celebrate the launch of this special year, two "hot spots" were organised in the city centre and in Belval to welcome both official guests and the public.
At the end of the afternoon, it was first the turn of the officials to deliver their speeches and wishes of success in front of the town hall, in the presence of and , the President of the Chamber of Deputies, , the Prime Minister, Minister of State, (DP).
, director of Esch2022, (CSV), mayor of Esch-sur-Alzette and president of Esch2022, (déi Gréng), minister of culture, then Clément Beaune, French secretary of state for European Affairs and Margarítis Schinás, vice-president of the European Commission, took turns to speak. European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth presented Georges Mischo with a commemorative plaque.
In her address, the minister of culture underlined the importance of culture in times of crisis and conflict. "At this very moment, the Ukrainian people are going through a terrible ordeal, an attack on the most fundamental values and rights, it is up to us, here, this evening, to hold high the European values that define us, that unite us, and that are so perfectly expressed by the concept of the European Capitals of Culture.”
Also in attendance were the minister for the Greater Region, (DP), European Commissioner and French regional and departmental representatives involved in Esch2022.
A party for the public
After the speeches, the party started. A troupe of comedians took to the stage, performing interactively via screens between those present in the city centre and those performing in Belval. These mad scientists had the task of getting a rocket off the ground thanks to the energy transmitted by the public. The whole event was punctuated by concerts, which entertained the participants throughout the evening. Rapper Maz's performance was particularly noteworthy, as it brought the Belval audience together.
At the Rockhal, the Future Frequencies project was performed several times to a full house.
In the streets and public spaces, a few street comedians and acrobats took to the streets, but it has to be said that this part of the festival was rather sparse. There were a few jugglers and fire-eaters, stilt-walkers and futuristic characters, but not enough to stun the participants.
On the other hand, the public was able to appreciate the remarkable light effects on the buildings, which largely contributed to the image of the evening.
Shortly after 9.30 pm, the famous rocket propelled by the co-creative energy of the participants was finally able to take off, with a great disappointment for this final, because the take-off turned out to be very poor in spectacular effects. Guests expected to see at least a light show, or at best a symbolic flight of something, but the spectators were only entitled to a large jet of smoke...
Overall, the event was very well organised, particularly the mobility aspect, which enabled several thousand people to reach the site without too many problems. But the magic worked especially in the eyes of the children. Adults really had to put in the effort to take full advantage of the event.
This story was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.