Friday - Weltgymnaestrada - Day 6 The EGF Idea sparks Interest at the Gymnaestrada in Lausanne ...
Lene ELNIFF from Italian Festival del Sole and Blume-Chef Jesus TELO (ESP)
Jesus Telo, the chief-organizer of the Spanish BLUME-Gran Canaria festival, was overwhelmed by the general interest: "I believe, a lot of European and global festival organizers are infected now from our idea of an international cooperation. That's what the new association of "European GYM Festivals" (EGF) - which we founded last year - wants!"- so the Spaniard said to the EGF press conference, which was held at the World Gymnaestrada in Lausanne. The E G F was started by the Swabian "GymFestival" organizers", the Italian "Festival del Sole" and "Blume Gran Canaria Festival". "We disposed here more than 15,000 flyers and arranged a special press conference, to promote our EGF idea, and we attracted worldwide attention, because a better communication is very important for a global understanding in a modern world!
EGF-PRESS CONFERENCE at the World Gymnaestrada 2011 The three Charter Members of the 'European GYM Fesivals', from left to right: Robert BAUR (GymFestival Stuttgart), Lene ELNIFF (Festival del Sole, Riccione, Italy) und Jesus TELO (Blume-Gran Canaria)
" Get Together"! At the stand of Blume Festival Gran Canaria in Lausanne - one of the EGF charter member, together with GymFestival Stuttgart as well as the Italian "Festival del Sole" - daily at 4 p.m. many vistors and heads of delegation come for talks and inspirations, seeking for better possibilities for a global network of GYM festivals: the new EGF idea gives them o new chance. Jesus Telo (ESP) is happy about the first concrete relationships, for instance with the Danish Festival organizers from Ejsberg (2013), from Greece (Peristeri 2012), the Czech Republik (SOKOL 2013) and from Finland ("SunSvoli").
'Communikation, that's all!! - The three EGF charter members, Robert Baur (GER; left), Lene Elniff (ITA; 2nd from right) and Jesus Telo (ESP; middle) at the meeting at the EGF stand with the Danish representatives from Ejsberg, (Festival 2013), Dorte With (2nd from left) and Anders Kragh Jespersen (right.)
First result of the new cooperation and partnership was the visit of two Spanish groups one week before at the "GymFestival 2011" in the Sabian metropole Stuttgart by the "Gimnasio Las Palmas" and the "Grupo Loli Perez".
The next EGF-Meeting will held in Paris sein, during the ISCA-Congress (2011, October 19 - 23). At the EGF-Agenda will be the formulation of general working priciples, but also the admission of more members and their events into an "EGF Calendar 2011/12". Not also from the view of the BLUME GRAN CANARIA Organizers these EGF praesentations here in Lausanne were mor than a good start of an phantastic new idea!
* On the website >>www.gymfestivals.eu and in the media network with the "European GYMnastics Service "GYMmedia INTERNATIONAL" will publish the next steps and more information within a short time ...
... what's happen more today in Lausanne (Day 6, Friday, July 15:
CITY PERFORMANCES, everywhere! _______________________________
The Danish Group'Bellinge Gymnasts' on the stage of the Place de la Navigation' nearby the port
.... and after than their cool presentation for the Gymnaestrada Chronicle!
.. the Czech Group 'CAUS' after its stage performance, absolutely happy and relaxed, posturing for our GYMmedia camera.
Millions of such pictures will produced at these Gymnaestrada days: at many places and stages here in Lausanne, like by these Brits fom the 'L & G' club, during their performance'Hairspray'
Saturday - World Gymnaestrada - Final Day:The FIG-Gala - and the Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium
"We met the Magic!" ______________________ * fig---: Although the skies smiled once again on the Pontaise Olympic Stadium, when spectators and the 19,100 participants at the 14th World Gymnaestrada gathered for the final act at the Closing Ceremony, there was already a feeling of nostalgia in Lausanne as it was time to say goodbye. With a full week of wonderful gymnastic performances as well as a celebration of friendship and cultural diversity now behind us, it is no exaggeration to say that the World Gymnaestrada has touched our hearts once again. This exceptional event united gymnasts of all ages and fitness levels from all corners of the planet in their passion for their sport, bringing amazing energy to the host city and creating a festive atmosphere throughout the week.
Parting sweet sorrow for World Gymnaestrada July 16th, 2011 - the final report of F.I.G _______________________________________
Exactly six days and one hour after the official opening of this World Gymnaestrada, the Closing Ceremony got underway at the same place where it all started with the participants taking this ultimate opportunity to show and share their passion with their fellow gymnasts on the 2011 World Gymnaestrada stage.
The show included large group performances by Japan, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Australia, South Africa, Germany, Denmark, the Pan-American countries, Slovakia and Switzerland, representing a world tour. One of the highlights was the colourful and joyful display by the South African gymnasts in their elaborate costumes, who roused the public into rhythmic clapping. The South Africans were highly conspicuous all week, dancing and singing everywhere they went and spreading incredible energy.
In his closing speech Hanspeter Tschopp, President of the Swiss Gymnastics Federation, congratulated the gymnasts on their presentations and thanked them for their participation. He also praised the hard work of the numerous volunteers, and in various languages he invited everyone to meet up in Helsinki in four years’ time. Looking back on an extraordinary week, Marc Vuilleumier, President of the World Gymnaestrada 2011 Association, shared some of his magical memories of an event that brought a breeze of good vibrations to Lausanne and moved the whole city. A proud host, he wished all the best to Helsinki 2015. While the Mexican wave, asymbolic of the enthusiasm of the World Gymnaestrada family, made its way around the stadium again and again FIG President Prof Bruno Grandi gave his closing speech, thanking the organisers, gymnasts and volunteers for their determination and passion. We then saw the official 2011 World Gymnaestrada flash mob dance again, ...
... before the event ended with the formal act of the handing over of the FIG flag from the Lausanne Organising Committee President, François-Daniel Golay, to Kirsti Partanen, President of the Helsinki 2015 Organising Committee. To the delight of all involved the weather was very kind throughout the week, adding to the whole World Gymnaestrada experience; but, as if the skies were also sad, light rain started falling just as the ceremony came to a close and the gymnasts headed home. See you all in 2015 in Helsinki! "Make the Earth move!" * Source: f i g
Handover the FIG-Flag: from the Lausanne Organising Committee President, François-Daniel Golay, to Kirsti Partanen, President of the Helsinki 2015 Organising Committee.
************************************************************************************************* ... and at the Evening before: On Friday evening the F.I.G Gala was once again a absolutely highlight of these gymnaestrada days. The Island "Figuerra" was the location for an international magic of these gala ...
Japan (photo above: the Nittaidai Gymnastics Club) Brazil, Chile, Danmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Canada, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Rep. of South Africa and the USA presented in 21 different performances under the Gymnaestrada motto 'Meet the Magic'.
Von Akrobatik und Bodenturnen über Gymnastik und Tanz bis hin zu Tumbling, Schaukelringturnen und Rope Skipping gaben die Gruppen aus den 16 Nationen starke Darbietungen zum Besten.
Präzision, Synchronität und Beweglichkeit verpackt in bunten Kostümen und fantasievollen Choreographien sorgten für starke, rasante und überraschende Darbietungen, welche die Zuschauer/-innen in der ausverkauften «Malley»-Halle mit viel Applaus belohnten. * Quelle: stv
(3) Tuesday: World Gymnaestrada - Day 3Exotical Programs: Africa, Brazil as well as Italy and Germany
African & Brazilian Evening Italian & German Evening
<< "African Magic" - it was an unforgetable evening of the colors of Africa on Tuesday in the Hall Malley. 500 participants from 11 to 70 years old used the occasion to move to the rhythm of vibrant music. The South African gymnasts represented the culture of their country rich in diversity and traditions by a choreography of Maureen van Rooyen ... "The Time Machine" - after than, in the same venue, came Brazil, traveling through the time, honoring Switzerland returning to our past and relive the Swiss colonisation of Brazil, when the caravelles arrived in 1819 in Rio de Janeiro with Swiss families abord was the foundation of Nova Friburgo, also traveling through Brazil, the Indians of today, an evening full with beauty, joy and emotion thanks to happy gymnasts! Italy's motto was "Dancing in the Night" - gymnastics, fun, and magic - in a mix of fantasy and music to dance all together in this Italian night. About 200 gymnasts from 10 to 60 years performed in a delicate mix of Italian fantasy, fun characters of cartoons, acrobats and memories of Italian films and music to share their emotion with the audience. An Evening that lets the public dream and dance on the wings of fantasy. ... "Kaleidoscope of Movement" - the German Evening at Lausanne ...
The German Evening ... _______________________ The audience of the German Evening want to “Meet the Magic” in a stunning show about the fantasy and beauty of gymnastics. Up to almost 300 voluntary gymnasts coming from all parts of Germany performed the “Kaleidoscope of Movement” featuring the power, elegance and harmony of gymnastics sports in three dynamic acts. Show Director Eva Wolf, a former musical and dance artist, about the teamwork with more than 13 amateur groups, said: “It was a great experience for me to face the passion, fantasy and professionalism of these young people." Also our GYMmedia correspondent Achim Schaefer selected this event and was very impressed about the dazzling array of ideas, movements and performances, working with many exceptional apparatus and techniques: A special camera at the ceiling of the hall produced very interesting pictures at the background of the stage ... Phantastic!!
* fig - report--: On Tuesday the German Evening at the 14th World Gymnaestrada started in a very formal way with Rainer Brechtgen, President of the German Gymnastics Federation, officially welcoming FIG President Bruno Grandi to the show. The national flag was marched in, and the strains of the German national anthem filled Malley’s Odyssée Hall.
But when the lights went off and on again and it was time for the performers to take to the stage, the picture changed completely. Singer Gogo and the Kaleidoscope Group led us through a magical evening full of emotion and surprises. Broken down into three acts of harmony, elegance and power, the performances of 14 extraordinary groups bedazzled the crowd, transporting them into the fantastical world of the imagination.
As the second largest delegation in Lausanne, Germany brought 1,900 participants to the World Gymnaestrada, but they did not merely present a high number of performers at their National Evening, they did so with elaborate material and innovative technology.
Highly appreciated by the crowd, the first act reached a crescendo with the performance of Dreamcatcher by students from the Munich Technical University, who created fantastic images and a mystic atmosphere using a big white cloth and light balls. In the elegance act a group of dancers, including both able-bodied and wheelchair users, fired up the crowd with a moving performance to a selection of ABBA songs. Meanwhile Die Elefanten from Berlin impressed with their tremendous special effects, including a spinning globe, and their acrobatic and flight elements.
Powerful performances involving imaginative fight scenes, break-dance moves and the New Generation imitating king of pop Michael Jackson were followed by the final act, that was highlighted by its concluding dramatic effects. Black and red demonic creatures portrayed diverse acrobatic elements and finished their display with an impressive pyramid as the ultimate scene.
By the time all the performers had returned to the stage for the finale, dancing and waving, and Gogo released the crowd into the night, the spectators had spent a truly magical evening at Odysée Hall. * Source: fig report
(2) Monday: Weltgymnaestrada - Day 2 First National Evenings with Host Switzerland, Austria, France
"Meet the Swiss Dream" - Welcome to the Swiss Evening! So the Swiss invitation to gymnastic specialties that Swiss hosts has to offer: All manner of gymnastic apparatuses, in particular the rings, the trampoline, dance as well as acrobatics. Swiss hosts welcomed all participants and guests to Lausanne! ... " Austria is a Paradise" - The Austrians suprised with dreamfull choreographies of the gymnastic associations of Austria. Thirteen gymnastic associations lead through the multi-color universe of dance, acrobatics and gymnastic apparatuses. The visitors were dazzled by the fantastic costumes and stories and lived magical moments ... The waves of the Danube and Pop Music join in the rhythm of the evening which ends with Spring by Vivaldi. . "Voyage en France" - performing the adventures of the family Lefrançais abross France ... from the beaches of Saint Tropez to the magnificent Ski Resort of Chamonix, not forgeting the festivities of the 14th of July in Roquefort, finishing in the marvelous city of Paris! A very French Show that goes with good cheer, dance and gymnastics!
Specially in the Swiss focus: artistic gymnastics at the apparatus, 20 groups with 900 participants celebrated a show on a very high level!
* SCHWEIZER ABEND "Meet the Swiss Dream" Welcome to the Swiss Evening! - so the Swiss invitation to a big event at Monday evening! Visitors and guests discoverd the gymnastic specialties that the Swiss Gymnastics Federation (STV) has to offer. Which are the main and strong points? All manner of gymnastic apparatuses, in particular the rings, the trampoline, dance as well as acrobatics. Swiss hosts welcomed all participants and guests to Lausanne with a spectacular show !
...also in big groups: the basic is the top-achievment of all individuals of Swiss performances!
Acrobatic Gymnastics , 'Swiss made ...'!
The Swiss Evening - two times with 5.000 visitors (!) - the very first, but not the last highlight of this week of Gymnaestrada in Lausanne!
... Standing Ovations for - 'SWISS MADE GYMNASTICS', a very wellknown label also in the history of all the Gymnaestradas!
" Austria is a Paradise" _________________________
- The Austrians suprised with dreamfull choreographies of the gymnastic associations of Austria.
Thirteen gymnastic associations lead through the multi-color universe of dance, acrobatics and gymnastic apparatuses. The visitors were dazzled by the fantastic costumes and stories and lived magical moments ... The waves of the Danube and Pop Music join in the rhythm of the evening which ends with Spring by Vivaldi. ....
"Voyage en France" ____________________
- performing the adventures of the family Lefrançais abross France ... from the beaches of Saint Tropez to the magnificent Ski Resort of Chamonix, not forgeting the festivities of the 14th of July in Roquefort, finishing in the marvelous city of Paris!
A very French Show that goes with good cheer, dance and gymnastics!
FIG & EBU (European Broadcast Union) offers a daily summary with impressions, also from the Swiss Evening: * VIDEO impressions--:
(1) Sunday: World Gymnaestrada - Day 114th WORLD GYMNAESTRADA 2011 is opened and starts with full program ...
Invasion of Nations
" MEET TH MAGIC!" ____________________ With an emotional Opening Ceremony the 14th World Gymnaestrada 2011 was opened on Sunday afternoon in the Olympic Stadium ist am Pontaise in Lausanne, Switzerland. From Monday, July 11 to Saturday July 16 more than 1.800 different events of all the manyfold possibilities of gymnastics will held in the Olympic City of Lausanne under the slogan "Meet the Magic"! . ** Supported by the German company "SPIETH Gymnastic" our European Gymnastic Service "GYMmedia INTERNATIONAL" will report directly and every day with small summaries of this colorfull festival of sport, fun, health, motion and international understanding ...
14. WORLD GYMNAESTRADA 2011 - the Worlds biggest Gymnastics Event - Lausanne, Switzerland, July 10 - 16 - _______________________________________________
Opening Ceremony, Sunday, July 10 Heavens smile on opening extravaganza - Report by F I G ____________________________________ Participants, organisers and spectators at the 14th World Gymnaestrada were all anxiously observing the skies on Sunday afternoon. With a thunderstorm and heavy rain hanging over Lausanne during the day, the risk of a soaking during the Opening Ceremony scheduled for 4pm was very high!
Uzbekistan came into the stadium ...
However, it seems the Organising Committee had a direct line to the weather Gods as, just one hour before the big show, the sun came out and blue skies opened up over La Pontaise Olympic Stadium. The long anticipated show could begin!
It started with a playful and colourful show by 400 children, accompanied by their parents, while the ranks of the sold-out stadium filled up quickly with enthusiastic spectators. A total of 250 performers in white uniforms then gathered in the centre of the stadium, forming the Swiss cross, while the host country’s delegation marched in to traditional Swiss music presented by the Alphorn Academy of Switzerland, with the musicians playing live from the roof top. The march was accompanied by rhythmic clapping from the public before delegation members took their seats in the grandstands.
First the Swiss delegation entered the stadium, with backing group of traditional alpenhorns. With more than 3.000 men, women, youngsters and kids the Swiss host are the biggest delegation of all at this Gymnaestrada!
<< Than came two brass bands Brassbands , folowed by the long line of 55 guest nations from 5 continents, all over tne world! Delegationen aus den anderen Teilnehmerländern.
Bannerets and flags were in motion and the first big atmosphere junped from the delegations up to the visitors in the stadium round ...
After the rain before the opening ceremony took place under thr full sunshine in a wounderful and friendly atmosphere.
Full action by the Greece delegation ...
At the same time like the invasion gymnasts celebrated performances in the middle of the stadium. After than they performed the geographical Swiss frontier as a colorfull picture (photo, below:)
... while the German delegation just entered the stadium the Swiss hosts ferformed in the background the geographical Swiss borderlines on the surface.
In his opening speech, FIG President Prof Bruno Grandi gave a warm welcome to the gymnasts who hailed from all continents, demonstrating the universal nature of gymnastics and the solidarity that unites them at this unique event, taking place in the city that is both the Olympic Capital and the home of the International Gymnastics Federation. Prof Grandi expressed his gratitude to the Local Organising Committee and the Swiss Gymnastics Federation as well as the local, cantonal and federal authorities. François Daniel Golay, President of the Local Organising Committee, spoke of his pride in Lausanne hosting the World Gymnaestrada for the third time in Switzerland after Basel in 1969 and Zurich in 1982.
He highlighted the universal values of sport and culture shared and spread by gymnasts who are building bridges between their respective countries and continents.
Meanwhile Swiss Federal Counsellor Ueli Maurer was delighted to welcome all participants to the Olympic Capital, where mascot Cathy meets her companion Jim this week, and he finally declared the 14th World Gymnaestrada open!
The Opening Ceremony in a * VIDEO of the FIG Channel --:
Between the speeches, spectators enjoyed watching a video of previous World Gymnaestradas, a performance by Martin’s Tap Dance Company produced by tap-dance World Champion Fabrice Martin, as well as the official hymn “Meet the Magic”, performed by Groove Convention. When the Swiss flag had joined that of the FIG and the World Gymnaestrada and the sounds of the national anthem had faded, the crowd directed their eyes to the sky for the next highlight of the ceremony, with the Swiss Air Force’s Patrouille Suisse 2011 flying in breathtaking acrobatic formations over La Pontaise. A total of seven routines simply blew the stunned crowd away. Back on the ground, the show continued with a performance by five groups from the Cantonal Gymnastics Association (ACVG) using a wide variety of balls, and an entertaining piece by the Top Secret Drum Corps from Basel who kept the public amused with their Swiss-like precision and discipline combined with comic and theatrical elements, topped by the use of burning drum sticks. * Source: f i g-report; photos: GYMmedia / A. Schäfer ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
* Previews & und Flashbacks ____________________________________
LAUSANNE - Host of the 14th World Gymnaestrada 2011
* ... a video of the fig channels --:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ * ... focal point: The mascots Jim & Cathy : ____________________________________________________
* GYMmedia Review: ___________________________
> 2007 - the Austrian Hosts of Dornbirn made a media contract with our European Gymnastics Service GYMmedia INTERNATIONAL: >>GYMmedia Gymnaestrada Website 2007
* 2011 we are sorry to say, we have no cooperation this year with the Swiss host, but we got the support of SPIETH Gymnastic - the Official Supplier of the Gymnaestrada - for daily news/reports - - * - the editors (-ehe - )
After the big success of the 50th anniversary of the "Festival BLUME GRAN CANARIA" at the beginning of 2010 December the Spanish organizers met in Braunlage (Germany) for the next preparations of the upcoming Festival 2011, together with their German partners, to talk about the development of the future not only of this traditional event.
One of the balance point in leadership of the chief organizer Jesus TELO (ESP) where an European network of gym festivals which should also have also a global perspektive.
In 2010 October three of European event organizers of gym festivals founded the "E G F", a cooperation of European Gym Fesivals ... * ... more on >> www.blume-grancanaria.org
The lethally plane crash of the Spanish-German Joaquín BLUME in April 1959 is a sad fact in the history of gymnastics. The hero of the second European Championships in Paris 1957 – winning four titles beside Jack Günthard (SUI) and Juri Titow (URS). The festival with a special aim was named after the celebrated Spanish national hero after the tragically accident: The “festival con corazón – Festival with heart “BLUME GRAN CANARIA” celebrates its 50th anniversary these days. Meanwhile it has become the paragon of the outstanding social values of all gymnastics disciplines all over the world…
* GYMmedia INTERNATIONAL supports this world-event in popular gymnastics for all age groups for more than a decade and will report on the website > www.blume-grancanaria.org during the following days from Gran Canaria.
* f i g -press: -- Yesterday, June 30, 2010, the deadline for provisional registration expired for federations wishing to participate in the 14th FIG World Gymnaestrada in Lausanne (SUI), July 10 – 16, 2011. To date, 47 federations representing 5 continents have either expressed a desire to participate in or have formally registered for the event. Provisional numbers are showing nigh on 23,000 gymnasts. Cultural groups from around the world will be besieging the capital of Vaud, providing its inhabitants with extraordinary entertainment. Lausanne organisers have long been ready to get down to the task at hand, and such obvious popularity has only underscored their optimism. Its biggest event in terms of participation, the FIG is excited about the Gymnaestrada; it is the Federation’s cultural heritage, and it is the foundation on which rests the edifice of international gymnastics as a whole. * Source: fig press
* FIG Office: --- On December 26, 2009, the death of Mr Niels Peter Nielsen, Honorary FIG Member, cast a shadow of sadness around the entire international gymnastics community. At the age of 76, Mr Nielsen passed away as a result of a long and trying illness. Niels Peter Nielsen was a front-runner in the development and management of gymnastics in Denmark, his homeland. He chaired the national federation from 1970 – 1992, where his activities bore concrete results not only in his discipline of preference but in sports nationwide.
Niels Peter NIELSEN actively promoted gymnastics alongside Denmark’s neighbouring countries. This man’s commitment to the sport played an effective role in the development of Gymnastics for All in both Denmark and internationally. It was Nielsen who so successfully headed up organisation of the 8th World Gymnaestrada 1987 in Herning (DEN). Globally speaking, he was a founding father of the European Gymnastics Union (UEG) in 1982, alongside the late President Pierre Chabloz. In 1984, Niels Peter Nielsen took his seat within the International Gymnastics Federation on the Gymnastics for All Committee. Beloved by his colleagues, he was adept at setting a tone that would proliferate the discipline worldwide. Coping with health issues on a daily basis, he retired in 2000 under the title of Honorary Member. On behalf of Federation authorities and the international gymnastics community as a whole, the FIG offers its most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Niels Peter Nielsen, as well as to the Danish Gymnastics Federation. * Source: fig press release
49. BLUME-GRAN CANARIA - the year before the big anniversary!
The 49. International Sport event"BLUME- GRAN CANARIA" took place from 2009 November 21 to the 28 on the Spanish Gran Canary island. Again, the island known worldwide as the "island of the eternal spring" and much loved holiday-maker and tourist paradise became the Mekka of excercise and sports hungry people of all age groups, who for the last half a century have made this place the meeting point at the end of each year, for show groups, clubs and school classes from all over the world. * Closing Ceremony and Preview 2010! * As has been the case for the last 10 years, GYMmedia INTERNATIONAL reported again one week daily and directly from Gran Canaria on the >> BLUME -Gran Canaria-Website
