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Original Abba members celebrate launch of expanded education programme in London
TL;DR
Abba members Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad launched an expanded education programme in London aimed at helping young people enter creative industries. The initiative includes a school programme, mentoring, and apprenticeship opportunities in local entertainment venues.
Key points
- Abba members launched an education programme in London
- The programme supports young people in creative industries
- It includes a school programme and mentoring scheme
- The launch event featured a live concert for local schoolchildren
- Apprenticeship opportunities are offered in local entertainment venues
Mentioned in this story
AbbaLondon
Abba Voyage concerts can be deafening enough. But when the real-life Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad made an appearance in the hall, which was packed with hundreds of schoolchildren, even the security staff present were surprised by the din.
On Tuesday, at the custom-built Abba Arena in east London, the virtual concert residency launched its expanded education programme which aims to support young people across the area to get into the creative industries.
The new initiatives include an autumn school programme and a mentoring scheme. The programme also aims to offer apprenticeship opportunities within local entertainment venues, many of which relocated to or expanded in Stratford after the area’s regeneration for the 2012 Olympics.
For the launch event, Abba Voyage invited several local schools to enjoy the live concert experience. Earplugs were supplied for free before the event, more so to protect ears from the young attenders’ screams than the concert acoustics.
Unlike most school trips, there were no pleas to sit still and be quiet. Teachers were instead encouraging students out of their seats, bouncing and singing along themselves. Children soon began swinging their hi-vis jackets over their heads, belting along to perennial hits such as Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! and SOS, which have enjoyed new virality on TikTok.
At the end of the performance, Andersson and Lyngstad made a surprise appearance, leading a rendition of Thank You for the Music before meeting some of the children.
Speaking after the concert, Andersson, 79, reflected on the patience needed for songwriting: “To write a bad song is easy, to write a good song, you need to sit down there for hours and days and weeks before something might pop up.”
He added that he still sits at the piano every day to try to write music: “Sometimes things come out, the dragon comes out of the cave, but very rarely nowadays.”
Asked if the four members of the band were still friends, Lyngstad said: “We’re always friends, even if we live in different countries.”
The Abba Voyage virtual concert stars de-aged holograms of the Swedish pop band’s members. Photograph: Johan Persson/Abba Voyage/PA
Q&A
What is the purpose of the expanded education programme launched by Abba in London?
The programme aims to support young people in entering creative industries through initiatives like a school programme, mentoring, and apprenticeship opportunities.
Where was the Abba education programme launch event held?
The launch event took place at the Abba Arena in east London.
What activities were included in the Abba education programme launch for schoolchildren?
The launch included a live concert experience where students were encouraged to participate by singing and dancing along to Abba's hits.
How does the Abba education programme relate to the local area of Stratford?
The programme aims to offer apprenticeship opportunities within local entertainment venues that expanded in Stratford following the area's regeneration for the 2012 Olympics.
