greater awareness and understanding of other cultures and enhanced international collaboration in Europe.
turning to Umeå after spending winter down south.
TWIN TOWNS Some examples of productions include: Dance Your Day – dance culture moves into new arenas, such as workplaces and hospitals. Mirror Labs – artisans exchange experiences, traditional knowledge and cultural heritage. Monumental Art – artists paint murals in every city in the Mirror Europe project, including Umeå. Home Is Where Your Heart Is – performers use rap in an innovative way to raise awareness in the cities.
THE BIRDS SHOW THE WAY In the project Fåglarna visar vägen (“The Birds Show the Way”) Umeå gets its own cultural birds. Via the internet and apps everyone can follow the cultural birds as they migrate from the Ume delta through Europe to Asia or Africa and back again. Knowledge about Umeå is spread continuously, not only through activities along the migration routes but also through collaborations at sites where the birds choose to rest. Headed by Umeå Fågelförening (Umeå Bird Society) the project will also include outdoor exhibitions and cultural events with an avian theme, all the while breaking new scientific ground. Around the end of April a huge homecoming party will be held for all the birds re-
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Umeå is an international city with strong ties around the world. These ties will be strengthened even more in 2014. Umeå’s current twin towns are Vaasa in Finland, Harstad in Norway, Elsinore in Denmark, Würzburg in Germany, Petrozavodsk in Russia and Saskatoon in Canada. During the capital of culture year our Nordic twin towns have jointly decided to prioritise their collaborations with Umeå. Harstad continues to focus on young people in the cities, while Vaasa and Elsinore are planning to participate in Umeå’s annual football festival. Petrozavodsk will participate in the ice and snow sculpture festival. Collaborations and exchanges with other twin towns are also in the pipeline. The capital of culture year is a unique chance for Umeå to further enhance existing ties and to find new ones.
GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER – Skuggteatern Skuggteatern is working with theatre ensembles in Europe to hold a spectacular theatre festival in the Ålidhem district. Audiences will be treated to the guest nations’ culture not only on stage but also through the culinary arts. Get Your Act Together is a two-year project from 2013 to 2015 which aims to open