Celebrations in Helsinki’s Senate Square mark opening of 2012 World Design Capital year

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An impressive celebration staged in Helsinki’s Senate Square marked the launch of the city’s stint as the 2012 World Design Capital. This year Helsinki also celebrates its bicentennial anniversary as the Finnish capital.
      The New Year celebrations culminated with a midnight presentation of a video work Ylistys Helsingille (“Tribute to Helsinki”) projected on the façade of the Helsinki Lutheran Cathedral, followed by the inevitable fireworks display.
     
The three-minute video mapping work conceived by Mural Media featured, among other things, illustrations by four top designers from another Finnish creative consultancy, Agent Pekka. Still images by Agent Pekka artists were projected on the façades of other building surrounding the square throughout the evening.
      The festival hosted by Baba Lybeck and Axl Smith featured singer Jari Sillanpää, beatboxer Felix Zenger, the Out 'n Loud choir, plus the Step up Dancers dance group.
      The New Year 2012 was received in the square with a countdown of seconds. On conclusion of the countdown, Mayor Jussi Pajunen struck a large gong to launch 2012.
     
The 2012 World Design Capital hosting duties are officially shared by five cities, namely Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Kauniainen, and Lahti.
      The 2012 World Design Capital year was officially opened by Soon-in Lee, President of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID).


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Traditional New Year celebrations attract tens of thousands to downtown Helsinki (3.1.2011)

Links:
  World Design Capital Helsinki 2012
  Mural Media
  Agent Pekka

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