The countdown has started to the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympics Games. With this in mind, Bridgend County Borough Council’s arts, sports and recreation teams have set up an Olympic steering group to inspire members of the community to become more active.
The group will be looking at ways in which the community is able to contribute to the various exhibitions and festivals planned, highlighting what the 30th Olympiad will bring to the UK, and in particular Wales.
The main focus is to utilize links with schools and community groups in putting together creative projects to help them take ownership of the Olympiad. The projects, such as designing a medal for the 2012 games, using music for expressive purposes and introducing mini Olympic festivals to schools, are designed to inspire an Olympic spirit.
Sports Development Manager Jane Thomas, said: “The overall aim is to show the local community that the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is an event that is staged by a nation, not just a city.”
For further details on future projects and how you can take part, call the Arts Project Officer, Guy O’Donnell, Tel: 01656 642727 or email: arts@bridgend.gov.uk
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A major new all – Wales project running until 2013, Following the Flame will use the build up of the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics as the main impetus to explore and celebrate the inspiring history of (often-forgotten) Welsh men and women who have attended the Games – whether as competitors, officials, coaches or spectators – and the impact that the Games has had on our nation.
At the heart of the project will be a major history programme of video interviews with those still alive and /or their relatives, friends and supporters, to create a living history of Welsh participation in the Olympics and Paralympics. This ‘people’s history’ will ensure that our story is told through the experiences of actual participants, at whatever level they engaged with the Olympic ideal, and offer in the process an inspiring picture of the social, geographic, economic, cultural and political realities which have continually shaped our lives (as well as our sports) over the past century or so.
In preparation for the major exhibition launch in Bridgend County Borough in 2011, Bridgend County Borough Council will be touring an inspiring launch exhibition and workshop programme throughout 2010 encouraging local people of all ages and abilities to get involved. Each workshop will be delivered by skilled and experienced arts and education professionals in creative writing, visual arts, design, music composition and recording.
Participants will be able to explore the mythologies of Ancient Greece (particularly the story of Prometheus’ stealing of fire from the gods, the origin of the Olympic Torch), the development of the Modern Games with its mottos, logos and symbols, Welsh achievements and the lessons we can all learn from this history of struggle and its responses to both failure and achievement in our own lives.
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