Techno flash mob set to celebrate Cork’s Viking heritage

ARE you a techno fan and do you feel like taking part in a flash mob in Cork city?

Tomorrow, the Heritage Council is organising a Viking-inspired flash mob at the National Monument near the pedestrian bridge on the Grand Parade.

All you have to do to participate is watch the original TechnoViking you tube clip to “understand the required style”. The three-minute dancing event is being organised by Heritage Ireland as part of National Heritage Week.

While the dancing will begin at the National Monument at the junction of South Mall and Grand Parade, the crowds will end up at the Berwick Fountain in the centre of Grand Parade.

Organisers said “no special costumes are required” but 100 Viking hats are available free on a first come, first served basis at the Triskel Arts Centre, Tobin St, between 3pm and 5pm today.

“No dance classes are necessary. If you want to participate, just watch the TechnoViking YouTube video. It might be best skip to just skip to 1min 30sec,” said Liam Mannix from the Heritage Council.

“If you can’t get to the Triskel, try to make your own Viking hat and please try to hide your hats until the appointed minute. For those who wish to pay homage to the original TechnoViking but do not have his impressive abdominal section, might I suggest using a black marker to draw on the desired six pack?”.

Heritage Ireland decided to hold the flash mob to highlight Cork’s origins as a town founded by Norwegian Vikings in AD915. This early settlement began on South Main Street with the Grand Parade constituting its outer edge. Archaeological digs at the former Sir Henry’s nightclub unearthed hundreds of artifacts from this period.

The flashmob will last an estimated three minutes before participants cover their costumes and disappear into the crowd.

The original TechnoViking video picked up 20 million hits on YouTube.

* For further details, check out: Facebook (http://exa.mn/techno1) or watch the YouTube video: http://exa.mn/vikvid