The unveiling of the interactive sculpture-counter at Jadranski Square in Rijeka and a brief special programme held today at noon marked the beginning of counting down 365 days until the moment Rijeka receives the coveted title of European Capital of Culture.
Employees of the 3 May shipyard participated in the construction of the 5 m tall sculpture that plays the Ode to Joy. Also present at the unveiling was Vedran Kasap of Clinica Studio, who was pleased that the sculpture was skillfully crafted and has seamlessly blended with the surroundings. The Director of Rijeka 2020 Emina Višnić and the Mayor of Rijeka Vojko Obersnel addressed the crowd with the latter pointing out the significance of the sculpture’s symbolism, conveying the message that every piece of the European Capital of Culture puzzle is equally important. At noon sharp, the pupils of the Nikola Tesla Primary School released balloons into the air and pulled the lever on the counter that started counting down a year until the opening ceremony of the biggest cultural programme in Croatia.
After publicly gathering at the interactive sculpture, a meeting of strategic partners was held at RiHub, including Head of the Rijeka Department of Culture Ivan Šarar, Chairman of the County Assembly Erik Fabijanić, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Rijeka Dr Alen Ružić, representatives of the Rijeka Tourist Board, members of the PartnerRi business club and other project partners. The Director of Rijeka 2020 Emina Višnić thanked all the partners and team members engaged in preparing the programme: – We at Rijeka 2020, along with our partners, are very excited and can hardly wait for the opening ceremony, which will surprise you all. I would like to send my regards to everyone who has been working hard with us, day in and day out, and often even night in and night out, on preparing the programme and everything that awaits us in 2020.
