25 years after the 1994 Olympics
1994 Winter Olympics
The whole of Norway and the rest of the world waited with bated breath as the clock approached 16:00 on February 12, 1994. Two billion people sat glued to their TVs and watched the opening ceremony live from the small town of Lillehammer. Years had been spent preparing for this moment. A lot was going to happen in the days to come. From a blank field on the map, the city would suddenly be on everyone's lips – for almost two weeks – and what would happen next?
It was 16 amazing days – called the best Games ever – and even years later, many still remember the sporting achievements and medal victories. The mega show started with the opening ceremony just before sunset on Saturday 12 November. It contained modern theatre, as in Albertville two years earlier, but with a clear Norwegian touch. The artistic part of the ceremony was a spectacular display of Norwegian tradition and culture, with reindeer, horses, sleighs, skiers, musicians, traditional costumes and Norwegian music. It turned into a fusion of ballet in authentic costumes and modern Norwegian music. There were live Olympic rings, a children's choir and Sissel Kyrkjebø, who sang her way into the hearts of millions (or maybe billions) with her Olympic song, and thus she marked her breakthrough.
Liv Ullmann and Thor Heyerdahl welcomed everyone, and then it started snowing. Some TV viewers thought it was artificial – the atmosphere was electric. 232 cameras were set up to capture the most beautiful images from the Games and broadcast them around the world. In Hafjell, a camera was specially suspended from a cable system that filmed the skiers from above as they ran, and followed them at the same pace. The games could begin. The festival was celebrated all over the country, whether it was in the parade to Lillehammer with traditional costumes, dance and music, or in the snow cave or in the tent with TV, on the yacht in the harbor, or at the retirement home, everyone was there to celebrate!
25 years after the 1994 Olympics
In February 2019, it was 25 years since the Olympics and Paralympics-94. Lillehammer municipality wanted to mark this and therefore took the initiative to gather good partners for an event on the weekend of 15 – 17 February 2019. There was a city festival on Saturday 16 February with fireworks in the Lysgaardsbakkene ski jumping facility and the Torch Award in Håkons Hall. The goal was a celebration that conveyed the history and was inclusive as well as future-oriented.
25 years after the 1994 Olympics was a success with thousands of visitors and locals taking part in the events. Storgata became busy, many with outfits from the 1994 Olympics and a bustling crowd greeted everyone who took the time to come to Lillehammer this weekend in February.
The King and Queen at Lillehammer
Their Majesties The King and Queen were welcomed by jubilant children and Olympic mascots Kristin and Håkon when they arrived at Søndre Park on Saturday 16 February 2019.
Tuesday 12 February
The fire is lit and burned throughout the anniversary
Location: Lysgårdsbakkene
Friday 15 February
Anniversary conference in Maihaugsalen
Theme: The importance of the Olympics, development and future
Place: Maihaugsalen – Maihaugen
Outdoor premiere of the film about polar explorer Roald Amundsen
Location: Lysgårdsbakkene
Saturday 16 February
Folk festival in the center of Lillehammer. The city is open, decorated and ready to party.Olympic memorabilia from, among other things, the Norwegian Olympic Museum. Musical sprinkles throughout the day in Storgata.
Mini Olympics try the sport
Children's event with prizes for everyone. Meet the Olympic champions and try the Olympic disciplines; tobogganing, skating, ice hockey, skiing, curling, biathlon and snowboarding. Speaker, music, hot drinks and a good atmosphere.
Parade from Søndre Park to Lilletorget for everyone! Feel free to show up in Olympic outfits from 1994.DD.MM. King Harald and Queen Sonja are present.
Stage show including T-shirt auction. Regional artists and Olympic celebrities. Parade from the city center towards Lysgårdsbakkene. The mascots lead the way, entertainment along the way.
Olympic magic! Show, music and fireworks, Lysgårdsbakkene
Free admission to the Norwegian Olympic Museum all day.
The Torch Prize, Håkons Hall
DD.MM. King Harald and Queen Sonja are present
