CULTURE

Cultural Olympiad events were on-going from 2008 and it is estimated that more than 2 million people in the South West were involved through events ranging from the Village Screen project at Glastonbury Festival to the Count Me In weekend (a region-wide celebration of music, dance and street arts) and numerous other projects at locations throughout the region.

The London 2012 Festival ran between 21 June and 9 September 2012 and showcased the work of some of the World’s leading artists. Following the pattern of the London 2012 Festival, a wide range of events, performances and exhibitions was held in Weymouth and Portland and along the length of the Jurassic Coast in 2012. 

Maritime Mix - Cultural Olympiad by the Sea

An amazing programme took place in Weymouth and Portland. This included a three-day epic outdoor performance called Battle for the Winds, with contributions from every county in the region.

Thousands of professional and community artists gathered from across the seven counties of South West England and beyond to tell the story of an heroic quest to free the winds for the London 2012 sailing events, culminating in a spectacular outdoor performance.

The story reached a total live audience of 500,000 at over 40 events across the region from April to July 2012, when it ended with a climactic performance over three magnificent days in Weymouth and Portland.  For more information and to see photos and videos, go to the Battle for the Winds website

Many events have become annual and will continue to engage audiences and performers – and provide employment and develop skills – beyond 2012.  For more information, visit www.artscouncil.org.uk