London is one of the great cultural capitals of the world, and the 2012 Games will be a chance to show it.
Ancient Greece and culture
The Olympic Games were very important and famous in Ancient Greece and they happened every four years. The best athletes came together to compete alongside writers, poets, musicians and other artists who came along to display their talents. The Games were held in Olympia, which was the centre of all things sporting and cultural. In Ancient Greece art and sport were often performed together.
Culture and the modern Games
When Pierre de Coubertin started the modern Games in 1896, he made sure art and culture were an important part of the Games as well as sport. In fact, there were competitions in painting, sculpture and music until 1948!
Today, culture is still a vital part of the Games with events such as festivals, exhibitions and concerts taking place in the run up to, and during, the Games.
Culture and London 2012
The Games in 2012 will bring together sport, culture and education in the Cultural Olympiad.
The Cultural Olympiad is a really important part of the London 2012 vision – it’s allowing people to take part in cultural events and celebrations that are an official part of London 2012 in every London community and all around the UK – helping to create one of the biggest celebrations ever known in the UK.
The Cultural Olympiad started in Autumn 2008 and runs right through until the London Games in 2012.
Values
All of the projects in the Cultural Olympiad share three common values:
- Celebrate London and the whole of the UK welcoming the world
- Inspire and involve young people
- Generate a positive legacy
As well as these common values any project involved in the Cultural Olympiad also has several themes including:
- bringing together culture and sport
- using culture and sport to raise the issues of environmental sustainability, health and well-being
- honouring and sharing the Olympic and Paralympic Values
- enhancing the learning, skills and personal development of young people by linking with the education programme.
Projects
There are three different types of Cultural Olympiad project:
- Open Weekend – an opportunity for everyone, everywhere to celebrate the countdown to the Games in 2012. Learn more about Open Weekend
- Major projects – ten UK wide major cultural projects which London 2012 are committed to delivering including a big music project, a disability arts and sport project, a film and video project and much more.
- UK Cultural Programme – an opportunity for thousands of local and regional events to take part in the nationwide celebration.
The Games will also be a great opportunity to learn about other cultures and the countries that compete and there will be lots of activities on offer to let young people do just that.
