Transition: The People's Celebration
On Saturday 10th January, Liverpool officially handed over its European Capital of Culture title at an emotional and amazing party at the Pier Head.
'Transition: The People's Celebration' marked the city's shift from European Capital of Culture 2008 to a European Cultural Capital.
Located at the newly regenerated Pier Head public space, the show entertained an audience of around 60,000 and incorporated film, sound, light and fireworks on the River Mersey.
Beautiful lighting adorned the 'Three Graces', as multiple 27ft x 80ft cinema screens illustrated a filmic review of Liverpool's history and the Capital of Culture year, as well as ceremonial handovers to the cities of Linz and Vilnius, the European Capitals of Culture '09, and to representatives from London 2012 to mark the launch of Britain's Cultural Olympiad.
The film was accompanied with a soundtrack of well-known Liverpool songs, which invoked a mass sing along to Altogether Now and Here Comes The Sun.
Lantern installations at the new Leeds-Liverpool canal link, an arts and crafts market along the piazza at Mann Island and drum and dance performances added to the party atmosphere. A huge firework display, lasting around 10 minutes was fired from two independent moving ships, situated on the River Mersey.
The People's Celebration was devised by Liverpool Culture Company and produced by Walk the Plank and was the opening to Liverpool Light Night which saw cultural venues and shops across the city keeps its doors open late into the night.
Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: "2008 was a life-changing year for this city and we wanted to say thank-you for everyone who helped play their part. And what better way than with a party at the waterfront, where so much of this city's story began.''
Phil Redmond, Creative Director of Liverpool Culture Company, said: ''The evening went perfectly and it is a testimony to the people of Liverpool that so many came out in freezing weather. They once again demonstrated the huge appetite and desire for large, family-orientated outdoor events in this city. This celebration was not a finale - it simply marks a new beginning for Liverpool.''
