Aarhus Stories: Discover the city's history in its original form

The people of Aarhus and visitors alike can look forward to a unique pictorial and musical performance about the city's history, when 'Aarhus Stories' starts to roll in the outdoor cinema on Bispetorv Square.

The performance the audience can experience at Bispetorv is the result of collaboration between the Old Town and Aarhus Filmby, supported by European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017.

"We are very pleased to be involved in presenting 'Aarhus Stories'. It will be a fantastic event, where we get the whole history of Aarhus presented in a magnificent visual narrative on Bispetorv. It is also the first time two of the city's leading cultural institutions – the Old Town and Filmbyen – have got together to create such a large, public event. So in this way, 'Aarhus Stories' is also a great example of how our year as European Capital of Culture has established new relationships and partnerships that will have an impact long after the Capital of Culture year is over", explains Rebecca Matthews, CEO at Aarhus 2017.

The story, presented in pictures and sound, is inspired by the Old Town's new permanent exhibition, 'Aarhus Narratives', which opens on April 12.

"Our mission is to get the story out to people - outside the Old Town, as well. So we are proud to help present this entertaining panorama of the long and dramatic history of Aarhus to local residents and visitors. And what's more in a location that is itself steeped in history. Our cooperation with Filmbyen concerns both 'Aarhus Stories' and our permanent exhibition, 'Aarhus Tells', which opens in the Old Town on April 12. I see 'Aarhus Stories' as a great appetizer for this exhibition", comments Martin Brandt Djupdræt, Chief Inspector at the Old Town.

Five seminal periods in the history of Aarhus
The story begins in the Viking Age. Aarhus with its ramparts was a town quite prepared to defend itself against raids by other Vikings. The next chapter is about 13th century Bishop, Jens Iversen Lange, whose many building projects have left their mark on the city. It was during his tenure that the cathedral tower achieved its impressive height.

The movie jumps to the 1600s - a catastrophic century for Aarhus and for many other parts of the country. Swedish troops and Danish mercenaries plundered the store houses of Aarhus. The plague killed people in droves and terrified the population, and public punishments were carried out in the town square. The fourth chapter tells us about industrialisation – Aarhus with growing pains and growing self-confidence. The railway, the port and new factories create jobs, and Aarhus becomes Jutland's largest city.

The film ends with a suggestion as to where Aarhus may be going – and to see that you will have to get down to Bispetorv yourself on March 15 to 18.

"It is very important for Filmby Aarhus, and the many talented companies that are based here, to flex our digital and visual muscles through actual projects in partnership with other institutions. This is very much what we are doing in this project, in which cooperation with the museum and the music scene is combined with a unique animation movie of the history of Aarhus created by Filmby Aarhus. This huge collaborative project is a win-win for all, and ultimately the audience will hopefully be the greatest beneficiary when our cooperative efforts are displayed on the facade of Aarhus Cathedral", says Carsten Holst, Director at Aarhus Filmby.

The show's soundtrack is composed and produced by DJ Static and Nicolai Absalon. On Friday and Saturday, a large ensemble of musicians, will play the film music live.

Performances will run from Wednesday 15 through Saturday, March 18, at 20:00, 21:00 and 22:00. Each performance lasts about 20 minutes. 

Program 
Wednesday 15. March
The performance will be at 20.00, 21.00 and 22.00 

Thursday 16. March
The performance will be at 20.00, 21.00 and 22.00

Friday 17. March
21.00 - speech by culture councilor Rabil Azad-Ahmad, director of Filmby Aarhus, Martin Brandt Djupdræt from Den Gamle By and CEO of Aarhus 2017 Rebecca Matthews. Thereafter the show and concert with DJ Static and  an orchestra. The show plays again at 22.00 and 23.00

Saturday 18. March 
21.00 Show and concert with DJ STATIC and an orchestra
The show plays again at 22.00 and 23.00

More information
Head of Press Peter Vestergaard. Tel.: + 45 20 13 10 90. Mail: peter.vestergaard@aarhus2017.dk
Aarhus Stories has been created with the support of: