WHAT TO EXPECT

#WG2015

The World Gymnaestrada is a worldwide, non-competitive Gymnastics for All festival held every four years, which attracts the largest number of active participants of any FIG event. Participation is for everybody, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, culture, ability or social standing.

For seven days, more than 21,000 participants from 50 different countries will "Make the Earth Move" at the World Gymnaestrada 2015 Helsinki. Being held for the first time ever on Finnish soil, the World Gymnaestrada will be the largest event in terms of international participants ever to take place in Finland.

Hundreds of hours of gymnastics are on a programme that includes city performances all around Helsinki and gymnastics experiences for all beyond those on the official programme.

 

 

OPENING CEREMONY

A festive and grand opening ceremony, like at the Olympics, will kick off the week of gymnastics. Participants will march to the Helsinki Olympic Stadium and stay to watch the colourful ceremony. The spirit of the event, fun and friendship builds from day one.

 

GROUP PERFORMANCES

Groups of 10 or more gymnasts, including participants of all ages, will perform at the Messukeskus Helsinki, Expo & Convention Centre from July 13 - 17. Group performances reflect the vast variety of the possibilities Gymnastics for All has to offer.

 

 

LARGE GROUP PERFORMANCES

Outdoor stadium performances are the crown jewel of the World Gymnaestrada. Groups with 200 to more than 1,000 gymnasts will present their stunning choreography in the Sonera Stadium.

 

 

MIDNIGHT SUN SPECIAL

In the middle of the festival week, the Olympic Stadium will welcome gymnastics friends to enjoy the magic of a Finnish “nightless night”. Featuring numerous large group performances and inspired by the light of Finnish summer nights, the Midnight Sun Special will be held for the first time in the World Gymnaestrada history.

 

 

WORLD TEAM

Also a first, World Team is a opportunity for all World Gymnaestrada participants to participate in an international large group programme. With easy-to-learn choreography that invites everyone to join in, nearly 2,000 gymnasts from 27 countries will be active on the field at the same time under the theme: "From Near or Far – Come as You are! Let’s experience it together: Happiness and friendship – Joy of gymnastics!"

 

 

NATIONAL AFTERNOONS

Introduced to the World Gymnaestrada programme for the first time in 2015, these afternoon performances are hour-long gymnastics shows presented by different countries. National afternoons will take place in the Messukeskus Helsinki Expo and Convention Center and offer a daytime opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the traditional evening shows.

 

 

NATIONAL EVENINGS

National Evening gymnastics galas crown the days of the World Gymnaestrada 2015 Helsinki. They showcase the wide variety of gymnastics from one specific country. Staged at the indoor Helsinki Ice Hall, the national evenings are precisely choreographed shows with jaw-dropping acrobatics and spectacular light shows. Goosebumps guaranteed.

 

 

FIG GALA

The FIG Gala takes the spectators around the world in less than two hours. Carefully selected performances are packaged together in a spectacular show. Under the theme "Live, Laugh & Love" and consisting of 20 high quality gymnastics programmes from 18 eighteen countries, the FIG Gala 2015 promises an unforgettable, emotional, energetic and wonderful experience.

 

 

CLOSING CEREMONY

The eventful gymnastics week culminates in the official Closing Ceremony at the historical Olympic Stadium. On July 18, all participants will come together one last time to celebrate the memorable event and to say goodbye to Helsinki. The World Gymnaestrada 2015 Helsinki will end with a festive show and with a surprise programme accompanied by Finnish music.

 

 

WATCH: WG2015 KARAOKE 'BE THERE' VIDEO...

 

PROGRAMME

Sunday 12-Jul Opening Ceremony 16:00 – 18:00
Monday 13-Jul Group Performances 09:00 – 18:00
City performances 11:00 – 18:00
National Evening - Switzerland 18:00 – 19:30
National Evening - Switzerland 21:00 – 22:30
Tuesday 14-Jul Group Performances 09:00 – 18:00
National Afternoon – Czech Republic 13:00 – 14:00
Large Group Performances 14:00 – 18:00
City performances 11:00 – 18:00
National Evening - Portugal & Brazil 18:00 – 19:30
National Evening - Nordic Countries 21:00 – 22:30
Wednesday 15-Jul Group Performances 09:00 – 18:00
National Afternoon – Germany 13:00 – 14:00
Large Group Performances 14:00 – 19:30
City performances 12:00 – 19:00
Midnight Sun Special 21:00 – 22:30
Thursday 16-Jul Group Performances 09:00 – 18:00
National Afternoon – South Africa 13:00 – 14:00
Large Group Performances 14:00 – 18:00
City performances 12:00 – 18:00
National Evening - PAGU 18:00 – 19:30
National Evening - Japan 21:00 – 22:30
Friday 17-Jul Group Performances 09:00 – 18:00
National Afternoon – Italy 13:00 – 14:00
Large Group Performances 14:00 – 18:00
City performances 12:00 – 18:00
FIG Gala 18:00 – 19:30
FIG Gala 21:00 – 22:30
Saturday 18-Jul FIG Gala 10:00 – 11:30
Closing Ceremony 15:00 – 16:30

NEXT UP: PREVIEW - 15TH WORLD GYMNAESTRADA - NOT TO MISSED IN HELSINKI

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IMPRESSUM

World of Gymnastics is an official publication of the International Gymnastics Federation – FIG. Three issues per year.

Publisher: FIG. © 2015.

Publication Director: André F. Gueisbuhler.

FIG Editing: Olivier Strebel; Meike Behrensen; Blythe Lawrence; William Dalè.

Design and Production: Andy Medley for SportBusiness Communications

Nr 76 will be released in October, 2015.

Editorial deadline: September 1st, 2015.

The reproduction of any articles, information, pictures must be approved in writing prior to publication.

Photos: SportAccord; Governing Body of Suomenlinna; Jussi Hellsten; Niclas Sjöblom; Comma Image Oy; Linnanmaki; PFM Pictures; Vicky Parisella; Cirque du Soleil

Traductions: Allison Zurfluh; Corinne Gaudefroy; Valérie Gianadda; Mara Valazza