Closing Ceremony FIFA WM 2006

On the occasion of the Closing Ceremony of the 2006 World Cup before the final game in the Berlin Olympic Stadium 3deluxe’s progressive design language and its scenographic ideas contributed to the sympathetic contemporary image of Germany that was presented to the world audience. Commissioned by André Heller, the interdisciplinary group developed the scenographic design including all stage buildings as well as the costume and sound design for the ten-minute show.

More than 200 performers and FIFA show acts Il Divo and Shakira were included in the lively staging on the staircase of the Marathon Gate. Fan drummers and dancers, flag bearers as colourful ambassadors of the FIFA continental zones and street dancers from Berlin offered a euphoric performance on and around the stage. More than sixty performers created a moving, graphically designed backdrop by waving textile umbrellas as screens over their heads following a sophisticated choreography. The printed motive referred in its abstract form to the most important scene of the World Cup – in a green and white composition of pitch and lines.

The stage located halfway up the ranks contrasted effectively with the monolithic architecture of the Marathon Gate by means of its dynamic shape. The winners’ podium took up the dynamic lines of the stage and was thus clearly distanced from the usually conventionally designed platforms. The socket positioned beside the pitch on which the trophy was visibly displayed during the final match was also part of 3deluxe’s integral design concept.