Let the competition begin! Last night was the Opening Ceremony of the 2011 FIS Nordic World Ski Championship in Oslo. It was quite a spectacular kick-off event! More than 50,000 spectators came to University Plaza in downtown Oslo to ring in the World Championships.
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| University Plaza |
Athletes from
50 countries have traveled to Norway to compete in the Championships! They were all represented at the Opening Ceremony during a parade down Karl Johans Gate, accompanied by 1,500 Norwegian school children. The Staff Band of the Norwegian Armed Forces set the soundtrack for the parade and the ceremony. Oslo Mayor Fabian Stang gave a short welcome speech, and singer Maria Haukaas Mittet performed "Glorious" in an over-the-top white feather
gown. The ceremony came to a close after a fabulous fireworks display above the Royal Palace.
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| University Plaza during the Opening Ceremony |
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| Live TV Broadcasts |
The Ceremony itself was not the only thing going on in the city center! Event organizers have made Karl Johans Gate (the main street through the heart of Oslo) a cultural hotspot. Vendors from around Norway are selling traditional food, handicrafts, art, and more. Artists from around the world were commissioned to sculpt Edward Munch-inspired works out of snow and ice. They are displayed along Karl Johans Gate, between Nationaltheater and Stortinget.
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| Death and the Maiden by Carl Schlichting (Canada) |
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| American Mark Szulgit's take on The Scream |
This was a great kick off of the events for the Championships here in Oslo. Stay tuned- there is much more to come!
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