Tuesday 15th March 2011
YuriGagarin50 Press Release

For Immediate Release

Countdown to Celebrations of 50th Anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s Flight

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

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.

Celebrations on the 12th April will commence with a “Yuri Walk” on London’s South Bank.  YuriGagarin50 is inviting supporters to gather at 7am at Waterloo Bridge, dressed in Yuri-style orange suits, to toast Gagarin’s launch exactly 50 years on, at 07:07 BST.

At 12 noon, people across the UK will be launching rockets as part of the ‘Rockets for Yuri’ initiative.  YuriGagarin50 is asking participants to share their photos and videoclips on Flickr and YouTube.  Details of how to make an air-powered rocket and where to post results can be found at http://yurigagarin50.org/events/rockets4yuri.

YuriGagarin50 has also launched a campaign to collect the memories of the people that saw Gagarin during his visit to the UK in July 1961.
A full list of events can be found at: http://yurigagarin50.org/component/gem/?task=listevents

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
YuriGagarin50 Administrator
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: +44 7802 947943

FURTHER INFORMATION

On 12 April 1961, Yuri Gagarin made the first human flight in space. 12 April 2011 will be the 50th anniversary of this event.
Although this anniversary has clear significance for human spaceflight, it also offers an excellent opportunity to focus attention on many other space and space-related activities and showcase the UK’s achievements and expertise in these areas.

YuriGagarin50 provides a single overarching framework to stimulate and facilitate events and activities throughout the UK that are being organised by different groups and organisations, matched to local needs and resources.  Details of events can be found on the YuriGagarin50 website: http://yurigagarin50.org

The aims of YuriGagarin50 are to:
1) Showcase UK and Russian achievements in space science, technology and engineering, highlighting the benefits that these bring.
2) Excite and engage the general public with space and the advancements derived from it, using Gagarin’s flight as the catalyst.
3) Nurture and encourage the next generation of students in STEM subjects to support the UK’s future in science and technology.
4) Promote sustainable collaboration between the UK and Russia in science, technology and culture.
5) Stimulate celebration and recognition of the global significance of Gagarin and his flight - 'the first person in space, the first person to see the Earth as a planet'.

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

YuriGagarin50 is a partner of Yuri’s Night: http://yurisnight.net