22/09/2008

NI Open Weekend To Launch 2012 Olympics

A series of arts and cultural venues will offer a range of special events - some of them 'behind the scenes' - over the coming weekend, 26-28 September.

Heritage activities and special events for children are at the forefront of Northern Ireland's 'Open Weekend' which is also he celebration of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games' Cultural Olympiad.

NI Culture and Arts Minister Gregory Campbell 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 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 project 'The Pied Piper', which is one of the first projects in the UK and the first in Northern Ireland to receive the associated award, the 'Inspire Mark'.

It is awarded to outstanding cultural projects inspired by London 2012 and recognised as helping to deliver the games' lasting legacy.

The project encourages collaboration between children from different and diverse communities, and explores different art forms.

In conclusion, the Minister commented: "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.

"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," he concluded.

(BMcC)

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