Giant ball showcases NZL by the Eiffel Tower
PARIS, 3 October 2007 – One of the world's most iconic landmarks is set to have some unexpected company this week as the Eiffel Tower is joined by the world’s largest rugby ball.
To signal New Zealand's Rugby World Cup 2011 campaign, a huge rugby ball will take shape alongside the world famous tower in Paris.
The giant rugby ball is being erected on the Champs de Mars – in front of the Eiffel Tower. It is 25m long, 17m wide and 12m high and can hold up to 220 people.
New Zealand host the IRB Rugby World Cup in 2011 and to celebrate are giving rugby fans at this year's tournament in France the chance to visit their '100% Pure New Zealand" rugby ball.
Helen Clark, New Zealand's Prime Minister, will officially open the ball early on Friday, 5 October.
At the same time, New Zealand singer, Hinewehi Mohi, and the Rangimarie Kapa Haka group will conduct a Maori cultural blessing of the ball including a haka (Maori war dance).
The blessing of the ball stems from the Maori traditional ceremony of Tomo Whare (blessing of the House.)
The custom invoked to bless any house or structure in New Zealand is designed to bestow goodwill on the land that the building stands on and those that live in it. And on this occasion it will form part of a cultural exchange with the city of Paris.
Inside the ball the entire ceiling will become an audio visual screen on which the public will be able to view a dramatised New Zealand journey showcasing everything the country has to offer – from stunning scenery, tourism, trade, culture, lifestyle, food, wine and technology.
The venue will be open to the public from 6 October until 21 October – the day after the IRB Rugby World Cup in France comes to an end.
People visiting Paris during the world cup will be able to learn and experience first-hand Maori cultural traditions including songs (waiata) and haka as they enter the ball by the Eiffel Tower.
Forty thousand people are expected to visit the ball during the tournament.
For all media enquiries please contact:
Claire Parnell
Hill and Knowlton London
0044 7413 3228
0044 7712 647726
Claire.parnell@hillandknowlton.com
For more information please visit:
www.newzealand.com
www.media.newzealand.com
www.images.newzealand.com
• It took nine months from the initial idea to the erection of the ball in Paris
• The venue itself will take 5 days to construct
• The air system works by two air pumps expelling 8000 litres per second
• The ball could house more than 600,000 normal sized rugby balls
• All the sights and sounds inside the ball were created by Kiwi artists, musicians and filmmakers
RNS dk/gs
