VISITORS to Aberdeen’s giant letters will be transported back to 1983 this weekend as footage from Aberdeen Football Club’s triumphant win over Real Madrid is displayed on the new landmark.
Still images and video clips from the historic victory 40 years ago are being brought to life on the letters, situated at the city’s Castlegate.
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The stunning display has been created to mark the 40th anniversary of the European Cup Winners Cup final in Sweden yesterday (May 11) and the awarding of the Freedom of the City to the Gothenburg Greats today.
The letters, which spell out ABERDEEN, stand around 2m tall and are illuminated by 98,000 LED lights, 750m of cables and 69,850 microchips.
Their in-built interactive technology allows them to feature animated digital displays such as the AFC tribute, or change colour to celebrate holidays and events.
Adrian Watson is chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, the city centre BID, which manages the letters.
He said: “We are delighted to be able to add the Aberdeen letters to the celebrations for the 40th anniversary of AFC’s amazing victory in Gothenburg and the honour of the Freedom of the City being bestowed on the Gothenburg Greats.
“This is a fantastic example of the technology that has been built into the letters to allow them to display digital animations, videos and images instead of static colours we hope fans of all ages will go and see them over the weekend.
“Many cities around the world already have similar schemes and they have become a ‘must-do’ for visitors but we believe having the ability to change the displays sets us apart and really elevates moveable, takes the concept a step further and will ensure the letters remain a unique focal point for that perfect Instagram picture.”
The Aberdeen Letters project has been developed from an idea that emerged through Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce’s Vanguard initiative, to encourage creative suggestions for the future of the region.
The project has been funded and led by city centre BID Aberdeen Inspired, which will manage the letters, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, VisitAberdeenshire and the Scottish Government’s Scotland Loves Local fund, administered through Scotland’s Towns Partnerships.
The letters are currently located at the Castlegate with Union Street as a backdrop, but they will be moved to different locations around the city.
Created by local design and fabrication firm, Luxous Group, it is hoped the letters will become a must-have feature to welcome visitors and delegates to conferences, festivals, graduations and other events.
- Aberdeen Inspired is the banner under which the Aberdeen BID (Business Improvement District) operates, a business-led initiative within the city centre in which levy payers within the BID zone contribute. Proceeds fund projects which are designed to improve the business district. For more information, visit www.aberdeeninspired.com
