The countdown to Stockholm 2016 begins

23 March 2016 at 16:52 CET
Photo: Mattias Dahlqvist / City of Stockholm
The Mayor of Stockholm, Karin Wanngård, has started the official countdown to the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm. Earlier today a three-dimensional sculpture of the symbol for this year's Eurovision Song Contest was unveiled at Norrmalmstorg Square in Stockholm. The sculpture will be counting down to 21:00 on 14th May when the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in the Globe Arena in Stockholm.

"Music engages, connects and unites across all borders - national, linguistic and cultural. The ability of music to unite is particularly important today. We are proud to be the host city for the 2016 competition and we would like to give Europe a warm welcome to Stockholm. The Eurovision Song Contest will be visible in the entire city, and will be an event characterised by openness, tolerance and equality of all people", said Karin Wanngård, Mayor of Stockholm.

The symbol for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest was inspired by the dandelion. It was created by INGO on behalf of the Swedish public broadcaster SVT and the EBU and represents the power of resistance and resilience but also regeneration – when the seeds fly away from the dandelion new life is created where they touch down. After the countdown has finished the installation will be placed in the grounds of the Globe Arena district as a reminder of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. 

Flower facts:

The sphere of the flower measures a total of four meters in diameter and consists of 190 flower seeds. It is also a dynamic and energy-saving light installation, has a subtle fragrance and plays music from the Stockholm-based streaming service Spotify. The flower stands on a three metre high podium with an integrated countdown clock.

  • The installation is a total of 8.5 metres high, of which the actual flower is 4x4 metres. 
  • The fragrance from the Magic Flower comes from a system that follows the International Fragrance Association criteria for the production, handling and use of scents.
  • The fragrance is supplied by Uniscent ScentAir in Sweden.
  • The flower was drawn by MK Illumination and manufactured in Slovakia.
  • The sculpture is made of lacquered aluminum, frosted plastic cable ties and LED lighting.
  • 84 square metres of metal was used to make the flower.
  • There are 7280 points of light on the magical flower.

The 2016 Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Stockholm, Sweden on 10th, 12th, 14th May and is organised by the Swedish broadcaster SVT and the City of Stockholm.