Transition: The People's Celebration

The whole city centre become a stage on January 10 2009.

The newly regenerated public space at the Pier Head will came alive with light and sound for this people's celebration. There was a sound, light and visual review of Liverpool's history from 7,000,000,000BC to the present day. It incorporated a history associated with its world heritage waterfront that has been reinvigorated like the rest of the city, and was shown in full colour across several huge screens on the waterfront followed by a magnificent pyrotechnic finale from ships in the river.

Says Phil Redmond: "Just as we opened the year switching from the sandstone and cobbles of the 19th Century People's Palace of St George's Hall to the 21st Century steel and glass Arena, so we are opening 2009 with a new waterfront. Just as our forefathers walked to the river front and looked out to the world, so we will in the future."


This 'Transition' will mark Liverpool's 08 Year of Culture to its 09 Year of the Environment, and will mark the official handover to the European Capitals of Culture 09, the Austrian city of Linz and Vilnius in Lithuania. The exciting prospect is that Linz has agreed to 'twin' with Liverpool and stage a complementing light event in Austria on the same night.