Patroness of the event, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark kick off on January 21st "Aarhus 2017".

As the second largest city in Denmark after capital Copenhagen, Aarhus is one of the two European capitals of culture (the other being Paphos on the island of Cyprus). There was quite a joyous moment as she inaugurated the occasion spoke before 1,300 guests at the Musikhuset (Concert Hall) in Aarhus. Then the opening ceremony continued on a stage outside. Wrapped in a fur coat, Margrethe then brandished a small bright white boat, thus giving the start of a procession through the city on the theme of the Vikings.

Leading up to the harbor, it brought together thousands of singers, musicians and other participants who, like their queen, held a small lantern boat decorated with drawings, hopes or wishes. Evolved on this human tide six large ships of 10 to 12 meters in length.

"Aarhus 2017" will offer, throughout the year, several hundred cultural and sporting events in the city of Aarhus and more generally in the region of Central Jutland. With the theme "Let's Rethink", an invitation to rethink the territory in order to bring lasting solutions to the challenges of the 21st century.