Action ante portas

"Hannibal" is a larger-than-life multimedia show, staged in the Tyrolean mountains, where the alpine crossing of the legendary Carthaginian commander is re-enacted with rather unexpected elements. Planes, skiers, snowmobiles and hang-gliders will all play their part on April 11.

Hannibal marched across the Alps 2,226 years ago with 50,000 soldiers, 9,000 horsemen and 37 war elephants. "Hannibal", the glacier spectacle intended to commemorate this feat, involves a similar logistical effort, but is much more popular with the people and their guests. Since 2001, the avant-garde multimedia show on the Rettenbachferner mountain in Sölden (Austria), 2,670 metres above sea level, has attracted five to eight thousand people each year.

Snowmobile ballet and divine hang-gliders

During perhaps the most entertaining history lesson in the world, the audience is treated to a gently updated version of the historical deed. Snowmobiles replace elephants, the TV station Karthago-TV broadcasts distant events on a big screen, while night skiers symbolise African desert dwellers and the Flying Bulls aerial acrobats angry gods. Also taking part are climbers, motocross riders, skidoos and a Bell 212 provided by the Austrian armed forces. Austrian actor Harald Krassnitzer will be stepping up to the mic as announcer.

A composition of snow and light

Behind the avant-garde show staged in the high-alpine natural arena are lawine torrèn, a Salzburg network of dancers, actors, media artists and technicians led by Hubert Lepka - as well as a marathon rehearsal aimed at perfecting the interplay between light and (especially composed) sound, pyrotechnics and video installations, spectacle and choreography. The result, according to Austrian daily newspaper Der Standard, is "the Punic alpine crossing in the form of a technically impressive mechanical theatre" and can be marvelled at on April 11, 2008.