The organisers will be making available up to 10 million tickets for the theatre, dance, art, literature, film and fashion events, all free of charge.

Peace One Day founder Jeremy Gilley and ambassador Jude Law (both pictured, above) will head an all-star concert in Derry/Londonderry on the opening day, while, in Scotland, The Big Concert will feature Venezuelan superstar Gustavo Dudamel.

The Símon Bólivar Symphony Orchestra will hold an open-air concert against the backdrop of Scotland's Stirling Castle and, in Birmingham, at Symphony Hall, the city's orchestra will present the UK premiere of 'Weltethos', an epic choral work by Jonathan Harvey.

In Cumbria, French street arts company Les Commandos Perçu will put on a spectacular outdoor show, 'On the Night Shift', created especially for the London 2012 Festival, and the World Shakespeare Festival will be another highlight of the summer extravaganza.

Speaking to insidethegames, the chair of the Cultural Olympiad board, Tony Hall, said: "Pierre de Coubertin [the founder of the International Olympic Committee, and considered the founder of the Modern Olympics] had a vision that culture and sport ran hand in hand, but then the two parted and we lost the culture.

"I think the UK has the best chance to get culture and sport together, and get a huge celebration out of it.


"There are so many things I want to go and see.

"I'm going to buy myself a really nice bell and see Dudamel (pictured, above) as I believe in the power of music to do amazing things.

"It is really important [to spread it across the country] – this is a chance to redefine how people view the UK and see it as a really creative nation."

Ruth Mackenzie, the director of the Cultural Olympiad, said at the announcement of the programme: "From June 21 to September 9, across the whole of the UK, new work from the best artists, musicians, writers, comedians, film-makers and other creative talent will be presented in the largest festival in the country.

"The festival will offer a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be inspired by the best in the world."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson added: "This quite extraordinary line-up of artists, performers, events and activities will ensure that, in London and throughout the country, there is something for everyone to enjoy, to be thrilled and be inspired by."

To find out more about tickets and how to apply, sign up to the London 2012 Festival website, click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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