Barangaroo and major CBD venues announced as World Youth Day event sites
World Youth Day Sydney 2008 (WYD08) today welcomed the announcement by the Deputy Premier of key sites to be used for World Youth Day and, in particular, the confirmation that Barangaroo in East Darling Harbour will be the venue for three showpiece events.
The 22-hectare site, vacated recently by the Patrick Corporation, has been made available for WYD08 by the NSW government.
“This magnificent harbourfront site will host the Opening Mass, the
Papal Arrival, two Stations of the Cross and several Youth Festival
events,” WYD08 Chief Operating Officer Danny Casey said.
“Today’s announcement of key public venues by the Deputy Premier
provides the certainty we need to proceed with our preparations,” Mr
Casey said.
Barangaroo is expected to host up to 150,000 pilgrims when the
Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, celebrates the Opening Mass
to mark the start of the six-day event at 4.30pm on Tuesday 15 July.
On Thursday July 17, Pope Benedict XVI will arrive at Barangaroo by
boat for his Official Welcome, and the next evening the venue will host
two of the 13 Stations of the Cross – a re-enactment of the last hours
of the life of Jesus Christ.
“All of these events will be televised live to the world from this
spectacular location, making it the perfect venue from which to
showcase Sydney. The site will also include stages at either end for
Youth Festival events,” Mr Casey said.
The other major CBD venues which the Deputy Premier confirmed in his
announcement today as available for WYD08 include Royal Botanic
Gardens, the Domain, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Darling
Harbour, Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park. These venues will
either be used for major events, Youth Festival activities or as Live
Sites – where pilgrims and Sydneysiders can gather to watch and
participate in WYD08 events.
Sydney will host the XXIII World Youth Day from July 15-20, drawing up
to 125,000 international registered pilgrims and 100,000 domestic
pilgrims.
Hosted by the Catholic Church, but open to all – WYD08 will mark the
first visit to Australia by Pope Benedict XVI. Around 500,000 people
are expected to attend the single biggest event – the Final Mass with
Pope Benedict at Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park.
