With 2 weeks until the Opening Ceremonies of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, here's a roundup of fresh news surrounding Hospitality Houses.
Africa: Station Afrique
Station Afrique, representing 54 National Olympic Committees in Africa, has released more details about their program during Paris 2024. Station Afrique will be located in L'Île-Saint-Denis, north of Paris, at Stade Robert César.
According to the official poster, Station Afrique events will begin on July 20 and run through August 11. There will also be an Opening Ceremony party on July 26. In addition to the array of concerts, fans can also expect...
"...water games and inflatable structures, music, catering, entertainment, initiations and sports tournaments, stands held by the City, by associations or official partners of Paris 2024, manual workshops, braiding, henna, tattoo or makeup activities, visits by the Paris 2024 mascots, graffiti workshops, Afro dance and urban dance, and many other things!"
Entrance is free for all, with no registration.
Germany: Deutsches Haus
Deutsches Haus, or Germany House, will be opening its doors at Stade Jean-Bouin for Paris 2024. Today it released an activation map, to give fans and visitors a sense of what to expect when they visit.
Here at the House Party Blog, we're particularly excited for the very large Biergarten in the Western part of the venue. Prost!
Italy: Casa Italia
Italy's Casa Italia will be opening its doors at the opulent Pré Catelan, in Bois de Boulogne park, at Paris 2024. As of now, it's believed that Casa Italia will not be open to the public during the Olympic Games.
Nonetheless, fans can take a glimpse inside: at the end of June, the Interior Furniture Design Magazine published a piece on CONI's extraordinary efforts to design a striking interior experience for Italian athletes, VIPs and dignitaries.
From the article:
"Organized with large, luminous spaces, Casa Italia provides an experience paced by art, architecture, furnishings and lighting with outstanding design, featuring historic and contemporary pieces. Visitors will be immersed in the rooms, wrapped by a series of settings inspired by the great interiors of the Italian 20th-century tradition, made with the contributions of 19 Italian contemporary artists and the creations of 28 world-famous designers."
Dear House Party readers, if you're lucky enough to get an invite to Casa Italia - take photos for us!
México: Casa México
In early July, tickets for Casa México at Paris 2024 officially went on sale.
The cost to enter Casa México under "General Day Admission" will be €25, including VAT. In addition to General Admission tickets, it appears that Casa México is also selling a special event ticket called "Golden Night Corona" on August 1. The cost of this special event ticket is €41.
Portugal: Casa de Portugal
While it previously believed that the Olympic Committee of Portugal would be opening the doors of "Casa de Portugal" at Paris 2024, the cancellation was confirmed in mid-June by the Portuguese Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Pedro Duarte.
As reported by RTP Sport:
"The previous [Portuguese] government had committed to providing support of 420 thousand euros, but the lack of other support led the Portuguese Olympic Committee to abandon the idea. The project involved Turismo de Portugal and AICEP, the Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade."
It was expected that Casa de Portugal would be located in Parc de la Villette, but alas, there will be no official home for Portuguese fans at Paris 2024.
Slovakia: Slovak House
Slovak House, or Maison Slovaque, will be open in Parc de la Villette in the "North East Cluster" of Hospitality Houses during Paris 2024. This week, the organizing committee confirmed that entrance will be free, but fans must register before entering.
"Maison Slovaque is a unique space for celebrating sporting achievements as well as getting to know the country. Many surprises await fans and visitors, a varied program and good food. Entry is free, but registration is required."
It's a simple process, as the site only asks for First Name, Last Name and Email Address. Once registered, it appears that guests can enter Slovak House as many times as preferred, after presenting a unique QR code.
Sweden: Sweden Arena
Announcing their plans to open a Hospitality House in April 2023, this week Sweden Arena confirmed that its house would not be open to the public. From the website:
"SWEDEN ARENA IS AN INVITATION ONLY NATIONAL HOUSE Sweden Arena is open from July 26th to August 11th, 2024, and will not be open to the public. You need to be on the guest list to enter Sweden Arena. Thanks for your understanding!"
Ukraine: Volia Space
In late June, the head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Youth and Sports announced that Ukraine will open a Hospitality House at Paris 2024.
Volia Space, as the Hospitality House will be called, will be a place for freedom Ukrainian athletes, as noted by the President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, Vadym Guttsait:
“We will open an Olympic House in Paris—Volia Space. In this Team Ukraine Hospitality House, every athlete can express themselves freely. ... Often, actions speak louder than words; raising the flag will demonstrate to the world that Ukraine has endured, it has been, and always will be."
"Volia" or "воля" in Ukrainian can loosely be translated to "will" or "freedom". The space will be located at Le Trabendo in Parc de la Villette.
What Hospitality House news are you most excited about?
0%Station Afrique
0%Deutsches Haus
0%Casa Italia
0%Casa México
Have you read something interesting or do you have intel about a Hospitality House at Paris 2024? We're always keen to hear... share with us!