The Millennium Project – Arvika, Eskilstuna, Haparanda, Helsingborg, Karlskrona, Köping, Norrköping, Sundsvall, Vilhelmina, Visby och Umeå

For centuries, rituals have taken place in the city's public spaces. Chimes, changing of the guard - recurring events that measure time and cancel it by their constant repetition. Rituals that address the citizens of the city. The first city ritual was created in 1996 for Sergels Torg and Stockholm. For three years it was performed daily at 12 noon on the wall of the Kulturhuset - 1095 times.

 

This was the beginning of the Millennium Project: City rituals over the entire country, from Helsingborg to Haparanda. Every day at 12:00 PM during 1999 eleven cities carry out their own city rituals. A unique ritual for each city, formedaccording to the geography, history, and character of the place. It is performed by the inhabitants of the city, which creates a personalized expression. It may be choreographed, musical, art-related, scenographic. Unique and local, but still a part of a national whole.

• Rituals that create common experiences and memories for the citizens of a city.
• Rituals that charge each place with a distinctive presence.
• Rituals that unite people and bring the various cities closer together.
• Rituals that inspire and give us time to reflect.
• Rituals that summarize and lead us on – a Millennium Project.