The organisers say the Ceremony will focus on "the Pleasure of Sports", with the Festival set to play host to around 900 young athletes, aged between 15 and 18, from 45 nations.

"For the first time in Olympic history, two nations will co-host the EYOF," said EYOF chief executive Philipp Groborsch.

"This unique situation plays a central role in the Opening Ceremony.

"We have planned a 90-minute programme to inaugurate the beginning of the Festival."

Tamara Kauffmann will be the choreographer of the show, having staged the Opening Ceremony of the Small Nations Games in 2011 and the aerial acrobatics show during the 42nd Alpine World Ski Championships Opening Ceremony in 2013.

She described her current project as "very exciting" due to the performers all being amateurs and not professionals, with volunteers having trained for several months to be ready for the Festival.

"They are very motivated and really looking forward to being part of the Olympic event," Kauffmann said.

"We want to focus on the pleasure of being part of the Festival."

Athletes parade during the Opening Ceremony of the 2013 Summer European Youth Olympic Festival in Utrecht ©AFP/Getty Images



The Ceremony will also see the premiere of a song, "Rock the Alps" which has been specially written for the show, while two young artists Carmen Wyler and Thomas Pegram, from Liechtenstein and Austria respectively, have been chosen to sing the national anthems of the host countries.

The EYOF Opening Ceremony is due to take place in the Montafon Nordic Centre in Tschagguns on January 25, with the official inauguration being made by Austria's Federal President Heinz Fischer and Prince Alois of Liechtenstein.

Tamara Kaufmann also explained that that the logo of the event "represents a shooting star, which portrays the idea that the young competitors are the sports stars of tomorrow".

"The spectators and the athletes will experience a fascinating evening; personally, I am really looking forward to seeing our shooting stars!" added Phillip Groborsch.

The EYOF will take place between 25 to 30 January and will see young athletes vying for medals in Alpine skiing, biathlon, cross country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping and snowboarding.

Admission to the Opening Ceremony is free of charge, with visitors advised to use public transport to travel to Tschagguns.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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