The entire bridge one dancefloor: Alles Walzer!

01.01.2009

Linz’s launch into European Capital of Culture Year was the most dazzling event imaginable. In jubilant spirit, 130,000 people celebrated the turn of the year between the Nibelungen Bridge and the Brucknerhaus.

A sight the likes of which Linz has rarely seen before: the whole of the Embankment and the Nibelungen Bridge one sea of expectant, cheerful faces. Then, at midnight, a thorough transformation: thousands of couples dancing to the classic Viennese waltz. This was followed by the Rocket Symphony by Tom Ryser, Orlando Gough and Mike Henry – a work commissioned by Linz09: 400 or so voices engaging in a dialogue with the fireworks in a thrilling crescendo, in which all conceivable emotions of this vocal love affair played themselves out to end in a superlative climax. And it’s not over yet: the entire city centre has been converted into one huge party zone, featuring for instance the opening of the Linz09 Club series of events “Good Night Stuff”. Linz09 has landed!