LAUSANNE, Switzerland – SportAccord Convention today unveils first details for a magical night of culture, music and the performing arts at this year’s Opening Ceremony, as well as giving delegates the opportunity to experience the same menu as the Queen of Denmark, Margrethe II at her 75th Birthday. This year’s 15th edition of the Convention will take place in the European Capital of Culture, Aarhus, Denmark from 2 – 7 April 2017, whose citizens are attributed with being some of the happiest people in the world.
The Opening Ceremony will take place at the Musikhuset on Tuesday 4 April, the largest concert hall in Scandinavia, a few moments stroll from Aarhus Convention Center where this year’s Convention is taking place. Guests will be greeted with a red-carpet welcome from 18:15 onwards and the Opening Ceremony will begin at 19:00 with speeches from Francesco Ricci Bitti, President of the SportAccord Convention, Thomas Bach, President, International Olympic Committee, and the Mayor of Aarhus, Jacob Bundsgaard who said:
“It is an honour and pleasure to host the largest global sports business event on the annual calendar in Aarhus, Denmark, and especially as our city is the European Capital of Culture for 2017. There is no doubt that the SportAccord Convention will help to raise the profile of our city in the world of sport, and help to put Aarhus on the map as one of the ‘top go-to destinations’ for sport events in its own right.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone to Aarhus, Denmark to experience the Danish culture and way of life – the wonderful Opening Ceremony we have planned will be a great prelude for the coming days at the SportAccord Convention.”
Ulla Essendrop, TV presenter at DR1TV, the Danish Broadcasting Corporation, will be Master of Ceremonies and guests will be entertained by world-class professional performers including:
Christel Stjernebjerg: Acrobat and dancer whose unique artistry is considered to be outstanding. Christel has featured in the Cirque de Soleil Beatles Show in Las Vegas, and worked as a choreographer as well as artist in productions across theatre, TV and events since 2013.
Mikkel R. Karlsen: Psychological entertainer specialising in mind control who is able to plant thoughts and ideas in people's minds, and predict people's actions and behaviour with extreme accuracy.
Camilla Dayyani: Jazz musician and singer, who often puts jazz to poetry, and has released several solo albums.
Malthe Brinch Rohde & Sandra Sørensen: Latin dance partners who represent Denmark for international dance championships and feature in premier events around the world.
Following the Opening Ceremony, guests will continue to experience the Danish culture with a culinary feast prepared with local produce in the Musikhuset Foyer. Aarhus and the surrounding area are also this year’s European Region of Gastronomy and delegates will be served a gourmet menu consisting of six different dishes. Commenting on the Opening Ceremony, Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord Convention said:
“We have worked closely with Sport Event Denmark and the Host City to put together what promises to be a magical night of culture and entertainment for the Opening Ceremony at this year’s SportAccord Convention. I would like to thank all those who are taking part, and in particular the performing artists and all those behind the scenes who have helped to make this happen.”
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EDITORS NOTES
SportAccord Convention
SportAccord Convention is the world’s premier and most exclusive annual event at the service of sport. It is focused on driving positive change internationally and dedicated to engaging and connecting; international sports federations, rights holders, organising committees, cities, press and media, businesses and other organisations involved in the development of sport.
The SportAccord Convention is a not-for-profit organisation which annually brings together representatives from more than 100 International Sports Federations affiliated with the following umbrella organisations that host their Annual General Assemblies at the SportAccord Convention.
SportAccord, ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations), AIOWF (Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations), ARISF (Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations), AIMS (Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport) and Associate Members.
In addition, the SportAccord Convention receives the full support of the International Olympic Committee.
For more information about the SportAccord Convention visit: www.sportaccordconvention.com
Evening Schedule for the SportAccord Convention 2017 Opening Ceremony