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Rotterdam skyline in the spotlight

Rotterdam's famous skyline will be the focus of an architectural celebration this September.

Rotterdam is proud of its high rise skyline, arguably the most famous and dramatic in the Netherlands. Now, as part of Rotterdam 2007 City of Architecture, the city will play host to the first Skyscraper Weekend from 20 to 23 September 2007. For four days long the focus will be on the high rise buildings of Rotterdam, with a varied programme includeing entertainment, art and culture, sport, and activities for professionals.

Intended to become a biennial event, organisers hope that the Skyscraper Weekend will appeal to high rise enthusiasts as well as interested professionals. Well-known and less well-known high-rise buildings will open their doors for a day, with shows, exhibitions and dinner parties in the towers, a skyscraper party on Saturday evening, expert meetings, and the launch of a book about the most recent developments in the city.

Also included in the programme is the official Dutch Stair Running Championship, with competitors seeking to conquer the 515 steps of the Euromast. An art and culture programme, based on the theme 'NuTuur', will consider the city, its high-rise buildings and nature in all its many facets, with events including performances, philosophical debates, and a tour given by a city biologist.

For the experts, the Dutch Council on Tall Buildings will present the results of research carried out into high rise development policy, and will report on the current state of affairs and the way in which high rise buildings are developed in the Netherlands, followed by a debate on the same subject.

Published on Sapling: July 2007

WolkenkrabberWeekend [in Dutch] [external link in new window]
Rotterdam 2007 City of Architecture [external link in new window]
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