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Dover will be a blaze of fire and light to celebrate the
launch of the national Cultural Olympiad, the four years leading up
to London 2012 promoting 'the best of British' culture to the
world.
On Friday September 26 the harbour will be the site of Light Up
Dover - a dramatic and ground-breaking fire show remembering and
celebrating the town's rich history and recognising the Kent
campaign to welcome the Olympic torch relay into the UK through
Dover as it did at the last UK Games in 1948.
The show will also launch the Open Up weekend of activities -
with a range of sights and attractions for local people and
visitors to the town.
The event has been organised by the
Kent
Campaign for the 2012 Games (link opens in a new window) a
partnership led by Kent County Council's Sport, Leisure and
Olympics Service.
Partners and supporters for this event have included Kent County
Council's Arts Development Unit, Dover District Council, and Dover
Pride with the substantial support of Arts Council England and
Dover Harbour Board.
The spectacular display will be courtesy of pyrotechnicians The
World Famous, a Kent based company who have combined fireworks,
flames, special effects and theatre at events in the UK and across
the globe.
The show will start at around 8pm with Dover's harbour animated
by a magnificent pyrotechnic display, beginning with a moody
meditation on the sea, culminating in great celebration of fire and
the torch - linking the sea, the harbour, and the white cliffs.
Nostalgic songs with a contemporary twist will be incorporated into
a dramatic soundscape to accompany the show.
KCC Cabinet Member responsible for the Kent Campaign for the
2012 Games
Mike
Hill said: This is an opportunity to celebrate Dover and its
heritage and the part the town can play in the London 2012 Games.
We are very grateful for Arts Council England's support for this
innovative event which will show how passionately Kent feels about
the Dover torch campaign and supporting London 2012. The Open Up
weekend will open up the town to local people from Kent and
visitors to the county."
Executive Director of Arts Council England, South East Felicity
Harvest said: "We are very pleased to support this landmark
celebration. Dover is the gateway to England and the last Olympic
torch arrived in the country via its famous port 60 years ago. We
welcome Dover and Kent's enthusiasm to show their potential to once
again receive the Olympic torch in 2012. This outdoor event is part
of the town's renaissance and a fantastic launch for the Cultural
Olympiad."
Dover District Council Cabinet Member for Community, Citizenship
and Sport Julie Rook said: "This is fantastic news for the area and
is an incredible opportunity to celebrate Dover's world-class
heritage and iconic coastline, and to highlight the major role the
town can play in supporting London 2012. We are delighted to be
working closely with KCC and partners to celebrate the Cultural
Olympiad and to campaign to bring the Olympic torch through
Dover." |