UEFA EURO 2024: Performance group La Fleur on stage.

UEFA EURO 2024 - Urban Art, Beats & Dreams

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Cultural program on the colorful stages in Düsseldorf

The UEFA EURO 2024 will put Düsseldorf in the spotlight of international soccer. But not everything will take place on the pitch. The major sporting event will be accompanied by a varied cultural program. The Football & Culture Foundation has initiated events throughout Germany that highlight art and culture as part of UEFA EURO 2024 - motto: touched by soccer. In the best memory of the footballing summer fairytale in 2006, the aim is to once again bring openness, cheerfulness and hospitality to the people. Düsseldorf will become a colorful stage where music, theater and urban art will be performed and celebrated. We give you a first taste of cultural delicacies.

You can see an aerial view of Gustav-Gründgens-Platz with the Schauspielhaus, Dreischeibenhaus and Kö-Bogen II.

Glaube, Liebe, Fußball

An extraordinary event entitled "Glaube, Liebe, Fußball" is planned directly in front of the Düsseldorf Schauspielhaus on Gustaf-Gründgens-Platz. An open-air production with actors and fans will be staged by Peter Jordan and Leonhard Koppelmann. Jordan is known as an actor from numerous films and series, and has also been working with Koppelmann as an author and director for some time. The premiere of "Glaube, Liebe, Fußball" is on May 24, with over 20 performances planned in total. But it's not just theater that will be performed in front of the Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus, as this is also an official fan zone. Between Kö-Bogen II, Dreischeibenhaus and Schauspielhaus, fans can experience the full program: public viewing, concerts and interaction. Indoors, too, there will be plenty of fun at the game. The Junges Schauspiel is premiering the production "Spielverderber" by author Veronika Maurer. This production is specially designed for children aged eight and over. In collaboration with Fortuna Düsseldorf and the Kinderschutzbund, a play has been created that addresses critical aspects of soccer alongside the fun part. The premiere is on May 26 in the Kleines Haus. The youth congress "Future (t)here" completes the Schauspielhaus's diverse range of events surrounding the EURO 24.

Program from 24.05. to 14.07.2024, further information at dhaus.de.

Collage of various murals.

11 Walls

A universal language can be found in art and sport, as well as in urban art and music. Mixing these ingredients together can result in exciting projects. Viva con Agua Arts and the Millerntor Gallery collective, MTG for short, have fired up the blender and initiated "11 Walls". Urban art meets soccer in the cities where UEFA EURO 2024 matches will be held. And as the title suggests, eleven murals will be created by artists from all over Europe. Each motif will focus on water as a resource and the energy inherent in soccer. Pop-up concerts will take place on top. Viva con Agua has been committed to access to clean drinking water for many years, with a particular focus on the African continent, and draws attention to the fact that over 700 million people do not have secure access to drinking water. The organization also promotes awareness for the protection of our waters and environment. UEFA EURO 2024 wants to use the international sporting event to raise awareness of sustainability issues. Viva con Agua Arts does this with positive activism, which means: in the name of "water for all", there are regular events that are fun. Also in Düsseldorf.

Further information can be found at 11walls.org.

You can see a professional turntable and mixer.

Kickin' Beats - European DJ Sessions

The New Fall Festival, with its special locations and selection of artists, is a must in the cultural program of the Football & Culture Foundation. "Kickin' Beats - European DJ Sessions" is the name of the series and presents The Sound of Europe. The locations are the Pong in the NRW-Forum and the Ping in the Theatermuseum. During the UEFA EURO 2024, the aim is to create a space that not only honors soccer as part of pop culture, but also highlights its unifying power in a diverse society. For ten days in June and July, Pong and Ping will be transformed into a place-to-be for music and soccer fans. On each of these evenings, two DJs from the countries participating in the European Championships will present a wide range of European music. The events range from sundowners with relaxed beats to club nights until dawn. The focus of each event is on Europe's cultural diversity and peaceful coexistence. Let love rule!

Program from 15.05. to 14.07.2024, further information at new-fall-festival.de.

The performance group La Fleur.
(Photo: Roberto Boccaccino)

Konami - Der Fußballtanz

The Forum Freies Theater, or FFT for short, is located in the immediate vicinity of the main railway station. Since its foundation in 1999, it has stood for independent performing arts and international collaboration. Together with director Monika Gintersdörfer, the performance group La Fleur is staging a show of dance and songs. It is about the mixture of soccer, pop culture and migration, about the reality of life for young soccer and showbiz professionals. It is about dreams of success and fame. The focus is on athletes who come to Europe, sometimes with a high willingness to take risks, because top African sport cannot do justice to their talent and ambitions. The company of the international performance group La Fleur comes from Germany, France and Côte d'Ivoire. What is highly interesting is that they incorporate concrete experiences into their production "Konami - The Football Dance". The members have personal contacts with African professional footballers and interweave these with the working biographies of pop stars. After Düsseldorf, "Konami" can be seen in Frankfurt, Palermo and Paris.

Performances from 26.04. to 28.04.2024, further information at fft-duesseldorf.de.

Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz, rear entrance to Düsseldorf Central Station.
(Photo: U. Otte)

Stadium of Dreams

24 nations, 24 events. Every country that has qualified for EURO 2024 can be found in the "Stadium of Dreams" on Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz. There, the diversity of Europe will unfold in dance, art, literature, sport and cuisine. Organized by citizens, volunteers and migrant associations, it reflects the multifaceted culture of Düsseldorf. The project offers all citizens the opportunity to help shape EURO 2024 in Düsseldorf so that it becomes everyone's home game. Whether volunteer, migrant association, aid organization and/or community: everyone can take part! EUR 5,000 is available for each country and the events planned by them. This budget, as well as all associated processes, will be managed by the project team so that you can concentrate fully on your ideas! The event days are arranged according to the drawn groups, starting with group A. A kick-off and closing event, planned by the project team, will serve as a platform for all stakeholders to come together and exchange ideas. Suggestions and ideas are now needed to present your favorite country!

Program from 14.06. to 14.07.2024, idea submission and more information at Stadion der Träume - Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf (duesseldorf.de).

These five projects are a foretaste of what Düsseldorf has to offer during UEFA EURO 2024. They show that soccer is more than just a game - it is a passion that connects people and brings cultures together. Experience the excitement up close and become part of UEFA EURO 2024, which unites sport and culture. True to the motto: Everybody's home game!

Details of the respective events will be available soon on visitduesseldorf.de.

Further information can be found at stiftung.fussball-und-kultur2024.eu.

Text: Tim Schoster
Lead photo: La Fleur, photo: Roberto Boccaccino
DüsseldorferSchauspielhaus: Visit Düsseldorf
Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz: Visit Düsseldorf, photo: U. Otte
Other photos: Press


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