Dover Celebrates The Launch Of The Cultural Olympiad

A host of innovative and inspirational arts and cultural activities are on offer throughout Kent over the weekend of 26-28 September to mark the launch the four-year Cultural Olympiad in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Dover's Eastern Harbour will be animated by a magnificent pyrotechnic display from The World Famous beginning with a moody meditation on the sea and culminating in a great celebration of fire. Dover Castle will light its age-old Welcome Beacon which will trigger a spectacular fire call and response between cliffs and sea. This will be the special event that launches the Cultural Olympiad for the whole of the South East.

There will be a parade of light and colour in Gravesend featuring over 200 children and artists including bhangra dancers, dhol drummers, samba and brass bands. Across the county there will be a number of screenings of archive films as part of 'Hidden Treasures' - giving local people a new perspective on their towns and landscapes by screening past films in unusual settings.

'Open Weekend' is the launch of the Cultural Olympiad. Over 500 events are taking place across the UK offering everyone the chance to see or take part in special events and exclusive opportunities to see behind the scenes in sporting and cultural venues.

The Cultural Olympiad is a UK-wide, four-year celebration of cultures, that will provide everyone across the country with the opportunity to experience unique events and projects inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic spirit.

The Cultural Olympiad will highlight the UK's diversity by using both culture and sport to create works and events that will bring people and places together, encourage audiences to take part, involve and inspire young people, welcome the world to the 2012 Games and create a lasting legacy. Open Weekend marks the start of this four year journey.

Caterina Loriggio, the Creative Programmer for the South East said: "The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad will provide an opportunity to engender exemplary cultural activity, encourage community involvement, build new audiences, try something new, think big and have fun. Open Weekend will provide a wonderful taster of all that with over 65 events, many of which are free, happening throughout the South East. There's no excuse not to get involved and get inspired."