Hi °C | Lo °C A taster for Londonderry’s UK City of Culture celebrations will be |showcased this weekend with a high tech link-up to 2016 Olympic host Brazil.
A series of celebrations will take place in Derry to mark the finale of the UK’s Cultural Olympiad and the Paralympics.
Derry will link in with Belo Horizonte in Brazil as well as Liverpool and Preston as a precursor to the City of Culture 2013 celebrations.
The culture year will see cutting edge experimentation with digital infrastructure used as a central part of the festivities.
Over this weekend, the technology will be tested to bring people together in the UK and Brazil through co-ordinated performances and events which will link Derry’s accolade in 2013 with Rio’s in 2016.
Latino concerts and outdoor performances will be staged in Derry over three days from today.
A unique international project, The Humble Market, will be arriving in the city, with the Nerve Centre hosting mini concerts by Brazilian DJ Dolores, with his new partner Stank.
The Humble Market, which is being co-produced by the Cultural Company 2013, will transport visitors to the fun of the Rio de Janeiro carnival via a virtual Brazilian taxi.
Today and tomorrow, local people can also sign up for 10-minute gigs as part of the unique music and visual installation at the Nerve Centre.
In addition, to celebrate the end of the London 2012 Paralympic Games and handover to Rio 2016, DJ Dolores and Stank will perform on Sunday at 6.30pm and again at 10pm at the Live Site at Waterloo Place.
All events are free but booking is essential for the Nerve Centre mini concerts. For more details go to www.nervecentre.org or call the venue on 028 7126 0562.
The closing ceremony for the Paralympics 2012, featuring Rihanna, Coldplay, Jay-Z and a range of Brazilian artists, will be screened live at Waterloo Place on Sunday.
Prior to this, the area around the Live Site will offer children’s art and craft workshop from 1pm to 5pm.
Speaking ahead of the planned events, Mayor of Derry, Kevin Campbell, offered his congratulations to the north west Paralympians.
Mr Campbell said: “I have been delighted at the performances from our very own Jason Smyth throughout the Paralympic Games so far and I am now asking all in the city to continue their support for the Eglinton-born Paralympian for his 200m final race on Friday.
“Sally Brown (left) has also been been one of the most exciting athletes contending in the Games this year,” he added.
“It has been an emotional time honouring our local sporting heroes throughout the Olympic and Paralympic 2012 Games.
“We should be immensely proud of the bravery and athleticism of those representing us here in the North West as we get ready to give them a heroes’ welcome.”
Oonagh McGillion, director of legacy at Derry City Council, added: “The attendance of spectators at the live screen site in the city over the last two months has been phenomenal. We are delighted to offer a live link up to Sunday night’s ceremony and a full programme of events as another of the worlds global events comes to a close.
“The space here at Waterloo place has been utilised for all to enjoy this weekend.”
