Media Release: Moray hosts Commonwealth Games cultural celebrations

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A BICYCLE with saddle bags packed with books by the author of The Gruffalo, and an incredible group of young contemporary circus performers are heading to Moray for events that are about to take place this summer as part of the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme.

The nationwide Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme is celebrating Scotland and Glasgow’s hosting of the XX Commonwealth Games with more than 1,000 events taking place across the country.

Cooper Park, Elgin

Adding to the excitement of the Queen’s Baton Relay coming to the region on Thursday 3 July, Cooper Park, Elgin will be the setting for a high octane, spectacular performance showcasing contemporary circus skills.

The Commonwealth Youth Circus is a new company featuring specially recruited young performers from Scotland and the Commonwealth who are wowing audiences along the route of the QBR. Catch them in Elgin at 7.45pm.

Milnes Primary School, Fochabers; Buckie; Lhanbryde; Lossiemouth; Hopeman; Elgin Library; Cooper Park Marquee Tent, Elgin

Actor, Tam Dean Burn, will also be cycling into town on Thursday 3 July as part of an epic journey in which he will read all 195 books and plays, and sing all the songs written by former Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson to children along the route of the QBR.

The Marathon Storytelling Cycling Challenge is free to attend and through the course of the day Tam and friends will be at Milnes Primary School, Fochabers; Buckie; Lhanbryde; Lossiemouth; Hopeman; Elgin Library; an Cooper Park Marquee Tent, Elgin.

For details visit: booksonabike.com

The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme is a partnership between the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee, Glasgow Life, and Creative Scotland through National Lottery funding.

Janet Archer, chief executive of Creative Scotland, said: “It’s fantastic to see this exciting work being presented in Moray and I’d encourage everyone to join in with and enjoy the events.”

Eileen Gallagher, independent director on the Glasgow 2014 Board and chair of the Ceremonies, Culture and Queen’s Baton Relay Committee, said: “The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme is offering people the opportunity to be part of the Games wherever they are. With something for all the family, in popular local settings and an inspiring range of shows and activity, there is something for everyone to enjoy.”

To find out more details about what’s happening in Moray and throughout Scotland visit: www.glasgow2014.com/culture

Notes to Editors:

  1. The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving 71 teams of athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years. Glasgow 2014 will be the XX Commonwealth Games and will be held from 23 July to 3 August. It will feature 17 sports in 11 days of competition with 261 medal events on show. The Games will play host to 4,500 athletes and sell 1,000,000 tickets with the event aided by an army of 15,000 volunteers. Glasgow 2014 Ltd is the official name for the Organising Committee tasked with delivering the Games in partnership with the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Commonwealth Games Scotland.
  2. Glasgow 2014’s official partner level sponsors are Longines, SSE, Virgin Media, BP, Emirates and Ford. For more information on Glasgow 2014’s full sponsor family, please visit http://www.glasgow2014.com/games/our-sponsors.
  3. Glasgow 2014, the Commonwealth Games Federation and UNICEF are working together in an exciting partnership that will transform the lives of children in Scotland and throughout the Commonwealth. Using the power of sport and culture this unique partnership aims to inspire, enable and empower the children of the Commonwealth to be the best they can be.
  4. The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme is a national celebration. Culture 2014 is showcasing dance, theatre, music, visual arts, comedy and much more in the run up to and after the Commonwealth Games, with Festival 2014 transforming the Host City at Games time. The Cultural Programme is a partnership between the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee, Glasgow Life, and Creative Scotland through National Lottery funding. www.glasgow2014.com/culture

Media Contact

Brian Maycock
Interim Media Relations and PR Officer, Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme
E: brian.maycock@creativescotland.com
T: 0330 333 2000
D: 0131 523 0046
M: 07972 835 212

Gordon Boag
Cultural Press Officer, Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee
E: gordon.boag@glasgow2014.com
T: 030 2014 0000
D: 030 2014 0160

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Contact: Brian Maycock

Email: brian.maycock@creativescotland.com
Website: http://www.creativescotland.com