The London 2012 Games are not just about sport, a four-year Cultural Olympiad kicks off on September 26th-28th with a huge range of inspirational programmes.

In a way that has never happened at any previous Olympic Games or Paralympic Games, the London 2012 culture programme has been opened up for all the communities of the UK to join in.

Cultural Olympiad is a four-year cultural celebration across the UK running from September 2008 until the end of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

It’s part of a commitment to make London 2012 “Everyone’s Games” and to put culture at the heart of the 2012 Games.

It will comprise a raft of local and regional projects and events including the large-scale “signature” projects which were part of the London 2012 bid, and the mandatory ceremonies.

The launch over the weekend of 26-28 September, will promote the start of four years of cultural celebrations and announce the “signature” creative projects – it is at this point that you will get detail of some of Cultural Olympiad programme content as well as a timeline.

There will also be events to mark the Olympic Handover on the afternoon of August 24th and the Paralympic Handover on the afternoon of September 17th.  Everyone is encouraged to take part in or organise an event for one or all of these key dates.

London 2012’s Inspire programme will help bring the benefits of the 2012 Games to every part of the UK – giving millions the opportunity to participate as never before.

Non-commercial organisations delivering projects and events genuinely inspired by the London 2012 Games can apply to have them recognised through the Inspire programme.

From March 2008 projects that wish to be considered for inclusion in the Cultural Olympiad can submit an application for the Inspire mark through their regional Creative Programmer; in the South East this is Caterina Loriggio.

Caterina’s role is to encourage and support the development of project and event ideas from the region which could be part of the Cultural Olympiad.  She will recommend which projects should be selected, based on regional/ local knowledge and expertise and on the London 2012 criteria. 

Anyone in the South East wanting to put in an application needs to talk to Caterina first but before contacting her they should read the information on what is required here:

This is an innovative new venture so Caterina will be starting with just a few carefully selected projects. Once the process has bedded down, the aim is to expand its remit more widely over the four year programme.

For more details click here: and for more information on Culture South East click here: