Friday 8th April 2011
YuriGagarin50 Press Release

For Immediate Release

Media Reminder: Yuri Walk and 50th Anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s Flight

Tuesday 12th April will be the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s historic first human spaceflight on 12th April 1961.

Celebrations on the 12th April will commence with a “Yuri Walk” on London’s South Bank.  YuriGagarin50 is inviting supporters to gather at 7am in Jubilee Gardens, dressed in Yuri-style orange suits, to toast Gagarin’s launch exactly 50 years on, at 07:07 BST.  The walkers will then set off on three orbits along the South Bank, Waterloo Bridge, the Embankment and back over Westminster Bridge. This should last a total of around 108 minutes, the same duration as Gagarin’s flight.  The walk is being led by Vix Southgate, the author and illustrator of ‘Yuri Gagarin – The First Spaceman’.

Events across the UK are being organised to celebrate the anniversary. YuriGagarin50 (www.yurigagarin50.org/events/calendar) has a put together a searchable calendar of events, which include exhibitions, talks, concerts, book discussions, plays, Yuri’s Night parties and other activities.

Highlights include screenings of Chris Riley’s First Orbit film (http://firstorbit.org) in science centres, museums and BBC Big Screens across the UK, the Gagarin50 exhibition (http://gagarin50.co.uk) at the Waterside Arts Centre, Manchester and the IET  Yuri Gagarin Lecture (http://conferences.theiet.org/gagarin) at Savoy Place, London.

FURTHER INFORMATION

YURIGAGARIN50

On 12 April 1961, Yuri Gagarin made the first human flight in space. 12 April 2011 will be the 50th anniversary of this event.
YuriGagarin50 provides an overarching framework to stimulate and facilitate events and activities throughout the UK to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s flight, organised by different groups and organisations and matched to local needs and resources.  Further details can be found on the YuriGagarin50 website: http://yurigagarin50.org

YuriGagarin50 is supported by the UK Space Agency, the Royal Astronomical Society, the Space Education Trust, Whiteshirt Communications, the Planetary Society and FootageVault.

YURI GAGARIN – THE FIRST SPACEMAN

Vix Southgate is a Sheffield-born author and illustrator, specialising in science-based story books for young children. Her latest book ‘Yuri Gagarin, the First Spaceman’ has been published in association with the British Council in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of his flight. The book is illustrated in comic book style and tells the story of Gagarin’s flight.  Although it has been written to engage with children, it is suitable for all ages. For details see http://www.vixsouthgate.co.uk/books.html

CONTACTS
Dr Chris Welch
Chair of YuriGagarin50
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Anita Heward
YuriGagarin50 Press Officer
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: +44 7756 034243

Vix Southgate
Author of ‘Yuri Gagarin, the First Spaceman’
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: +44 7802 947943