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The city of Frankfurt is characterised by a thicket of banking skyscrapers and the River Main snaking through the heart of the metropolis. Come the summer of 2006, that imposing skyline and picturebook riverbank scenery, trademark symbols of the Hesse state capital, are to radiate with the colours of football. "The 2006 World Cup will generate the kind of international focus a city only attracts once every 50 years, and we want to make best use of that with our ambitious festival programme," mayor Petra Roth declared as she unveiled the city's plans.
A few days before the tournament opens, Frankfurt will treat its visitors from around the globe to a symphony of light aimed at bringing the excitement to fever pitch. Light, laser and video shows projected onto the exteriors of the gigantic skyscrapers will create an unforgettable optical experience. In the past, a number of world-renowned light and video artists have showed off their talents using Germany's most cosmopolitan city as a "projection screen". The exact date of the spectacular show will be announced later. In terms of ?public viewing?, the phrase used to describe matches broadcast in public squares, the local authorities have come up with a novel idea. Huge video screens will be installed on a floating pontoon featuring artificial turf, mini-sized goals and bobbing corner flags in a replica of a pitch. Tens of thousands of spectators will be able to follow the thrilling FIFA World Cup duels from both banks of the river. A suitably qualified supervisory committee will be appointed to oversee the financial and logistical aspects of the project. The official city of Frankfurt poster for the 2006 FIFA World Cup has already been launched by Germany international Nia K?nzer, scorer of the winning goal in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup Final, and 1974 FIFA World Cup winning pair J?rgen Grabowski and Bernd H?lzenbein. The poster will be blown up to a mighty 12 by 10 metres and pasted up around the city over the coming months. by OC 2006 FIFA World Cup |
