Lorraine Mondial Air Ballons 2007 will take place from July 27 to August 5 in Chambley Air Base (Meurthe et Moselle- France). 10 aerial and fairy days for the greatest international balloon gathering in the world. A richfull tenth celebration which is part of « Luxembourg and Greater Region, European Capital of Culture” official schedule. On this occasion, one full day will be specially dedicated to the Greater Region and European Capital of Culture on Sunday July 29th.

An almost common past! A nonetheless future! Lorraine, Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, the German-speaking Community of Belgium, Wallony and Luxembourg make up a territory of 65.401km² in the heart of Europe which gave himself the name of “Greater Region”. Four nationalities (French, Belgian, German, and Luxemburger) and four languages, or five if one considers that English allows everybody to understand each other.

In the Greater region no less than 150.000 people are cross-border workers amongst which 90.000 are going to Luxembourg every day. That eldorado of the fifties and sixties was made out of coal and steel, this territory is nowadays an amazing melting-pot of nationalities and populations.

Luxembourg, chosen as European Capital of Culture in 1995 was given the same privilege 10 years later. This time Luxembourg has wished to share with its neighbours the tremendous media hype in order to contribute to the Greater Region homogeneity, European laboratory par excellence.

In 2007, no less than 400 sport, cultutural, and artistic events permit a true discovery of this particular territory. Lorraine Mondial Air Ballons, labellised event, will welcome all along its ten days in “BallonVille Public” inside the “Chapîteau Evasion “ many of these event organisers. On that occasion, they will be given the opportunity to promote and present their special events to the public.

Outstanding moments of the “European Capital of Culture Day” on Sunday July 29th:

• walking performances,
• a theatre play “1783, the clouds revolution” created for and presented to the famous Avignon Festival,
• the “flags high” balloon launch, all Greater Region balloons will start at once with the 2007 European capital of culture flag in order to show our unity and will be followed by one hot air balloon per nation present at the event flying its country flag to the music of national anthems.

N.B.: a video clip of Lorraine Mondial Air Ballons will be shown at the Grand Opening Concert of the “Festival International de Chant Choral Nancy Voix du Monde” (16th to 20th of may), international meeting of world famous choirs representing 14 countries.

Source: Pilatre-de-Rozier
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