Clarity on the 2012 Cultural Olympiad at long last
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The idea was at the heart of London 2012's Cultural Olympiad plans. It was hoped that when the Olympic Friend-ship returned to England it would "formally proclaim the renaissance of east London".
The idea was quietly shelved, of course. Not surprising really. I'm not sure existentialists make good sailors. Thinking about the human condition for too long at sea is probably not good for your mental and physical health.
Most of us have struggled since to is all about. I understand the sponsors, who are paying for most of it, have demanded a lot more clarity in the last year as well.
Well, finally, we are getting it. I was at a fascinating exhibition of Olympic photographs at the this week. Not of Olympic action but of the people who have played a key role in building the facilities in London. They also have unusual shots of some of the top young competitors in 2012.
I'm pleased to have played a minor role in helping it happen. Organisers consulted me on whom they should photograph and I'm pleased they went for some of the top engineers and architects - and some of London 2012's lesser-known faces - as well as the high-profile politicians involved.
And I've also been talking to , the chief executive of the Royal Opera House who is the chairman of the board organising the Cultural Olympiad.
He says people will understand the Olympiad when they see the details of the special festival being organised around the Games in the summer of 2012. Expect more details about this in the autumn.
But do we really need a Cultural Olympiad?
And, if we do organise one, it's crucial that it is something which changes the lives of youngsters in east London and around the country as well as entertaining regulars on London's South Bank.
What do you think should be in our Cultural Olympiad?
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I'm 91Èȱ¬ London's Olympics Correspondent, which means I report on every aspect of the preparations for 2012. I'm going to be telling you what people are saying about London's preparations - both in the Olympic corridors of power and on the streets of the capital - and I want to hear your views.
Comment number 1.
At 20th Jul 2010, smellslikesalmon wrote:Just spend the money on getting the Olympics right instead, that's what people will remember in the end. There are plenty of cultural activities in London every week, and the many galleries, museums and theatres will surely add olympic-themed events in 2012.
The "Cultural Olympiad" would undoubtedly be a wishy-washy pc overdose anyway, ultimately pleasing noone, a bit like the ghastly handover performance in Beijing.
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Comment number 2.
At 20th Jul 2010, Tiger Rose wrote:Adrian I believe that all host cities also have to put on a Cultural Olympiad too. London may have been slow to get going on this but it's a little churlish to criticise the organising committee when they have made fantastic progress on the building of the Olympic venues. This & the organisation of the games themselves will inevitably take priority over the cultural side.
Having said that the idea of special Olympic themed exhibitions at the major museums sounds a good idea. Perhaps the British Museum could do an exhibition on the ancient Greek Olympics and there could be s Sports Science exhibition at the Science Museum. Whilst museum entry is free for the major museums there is usually a charge for Special Exhibitions. I think if the cultural side is to be success these special exhibitions need to be free so everyone has the means to visit them.
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Comment number 3.
At 21st Jul 2010, dateman wrote:"If we do organise [a cultural Olympiad], it's crucial that it is something which changes the lives of youngsters in east London and around the country as well as entertaining regulars on London's South Bank.
Why are you stating your personal opinion here? Aren't you a 91Èȱ¬ journalist and supposed to be impartial?
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Comment number 4.
At 22nd Jul 2010, Euloroo wrote:and why should the cultural olympiad change the lives of youngsters in east london? i thought that's what the games are for?
it seems to me that culture could be a great way to get an, at best, apathetic demographic being the games rather than pushing opera and portraits on to uninterested east end youth.
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