Heritage activities and special events for children are at the forefront of Northern Ireland’s ‘Open Weekend’ which is the celebration of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games’ Cultural Olympiad.
Culture and Arts Minister Gregory Campbell MP, MLA outlined Northern Ireland’s contribution to the Cultural Olympiad at a press launch today.
Speaking at the Maynard Sinclair Sports Pavilion, the minister said: “The Olympic and Paralympic Games are about more than a few weeks of elite sport. It is also an opportunity to learn about each others' countries and cultures.
“There is an inextricable link between sport, culture and education and this is the foundation on which the Cultural Olympiad is built.”
The minister welcomed representatives from organisations who are taking part in the ‘Open Weekend’ from Friday 26-Sunday 28 September. The weekend will celebrate the beginning of Northern Ireland’s participation in the four year Cultural Olympiad which will bring together culture and sport and use the power of the games to inspire change and unleash the creativity of young people everywhere.
The minister also congratulated the Ulster Orchestra for its Inspire Mark project ‘The Pied Piper’, which is one of the first projects in the UK and the first in Northern Ireland to receive the award.
The Inspire Mark is awarded to outstanding cultural projects inspired by London 2012 and recognised as helping to deliver the games’ lasting legacy. ‘The Pied Piper’ project encourages collaboration between children from different and diverse communities, and explores different art forms.
In conclusion, the minister said: “The activities taking place will showcase Northern Ireland’s diverse and vibrant cultural scene and I hope people will take this opportunity to visit at least one of the venues taking part this weekend. Why not sing along with professionals at the Festival Chorus workshop or listen to a BBC 3 concert during the ‘City of Song’ in Londonderry or have ‘A Glimpse of the Past’ at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.
“The next four years will be an exciting time for the UK as a whole in the run up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and I will be working to ensure that we maximise the benefits for Northern Ireland.”
Notes to Editors:
‘Open weekend’ events include –
‘City of Song’ – eclectic music festival in Londonderry
‘A Glimpse of the past’ – Behind the scenes at the Ulster Folk and transport museum
‘Going for Gold’ – Belfast libraries launch poster campaign
‘Light up Carrickfergus Castle’ – The castle will be lit up with the Olympic colours
‘Get a head start on Hallowe'en’ – Spooky story writing project at Grove Library
‘Inter-face photographic exhibition' – photographic exhibition at Shankill Library
‘Opening up the West’ – Enniskillen, Londonderry and Omagh Libraries give an opportunity to view closed access collections
‘Discover treasure’ – story telling at Ballymena library and launch of my Bookstart Treasure Scheme at various Libraries throughout NI
‘Victorian Belfast’ – architectural walking tour
Architectural treasure hunt of Donegall Square
Sentry Hill – tours of the historic house in Carnmoney includes music by the Ballyduff Silver Band
Family history fair – Downpatrick library and exhibitors offering free advice on researching your ancestors
Fun and games – Coleraine Library
Hogshair and Ponytails – behind the scenes tour at Florencecourt, Fermanagh
See the Butler’s bedroom – Castle Coole, Fermanagh
View historic maps and photos at the Historical Mapping Archive
‘The Pied Piper’ – Inspire Mark Project commences in September with a series of workshops in schools
The Cultural Olympiad is a partnership between the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), arts and cultural organisations across the UK, and London 2012 stakeholders.
The Pied Piper project is a collaboration between the Ulster Orchestra, its Associate Composer, Brian Irvine, four schools in Belfast and dance schools across Northern Ireland. It will commence in September 2008 with a series of workshops in schools to develop the project and will culminate in a performance on Friday 14 March 2009 in the Waterfront Hall. The event will commence with a fancy dress procession of the children taking part from Belfast’s City Hall to the Waterfront Hall. The performance will involve the full orchestra, composer Brian Irvine, a choir of 200 school children and 60 children from dance schools. It will be attended by their families and the public. The project will close in May 2009 after follow up workshops have taken place.
Further information about the ‘open weekend’ events can be found at www.london2012.com
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