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Canadian Cultural Programs
The combination of sports and the arts at the Olympic Games dates back to ancient Greece when artistic performances were an integral part of the Olympic Games. The Greeks believed in the importance of achieving a balance between the labour of the body and the spirit.
In order to revive this tradition, Pierre de Coubertin suggested in 1906 that art competitions relating to the sporting ideal be held. These took place between 1912 and 1948.
However, in 1952 the International Olympic Committee took another direction, by deciding that the organizing committees of the Games should be free to organize their own artistic programs. Artistic expression is now displayed through exhibitions and performances rather than only within a competitive framework.
Cultural programs that included art exhibitions became common. Some organizing cities took an international approach by presenting artistic activities from the entire world, while others focused more on national works, as was the case at the Montréal and Calgary Games. Although the cultural program of the Calgary Games included several large foreign productions, the national approach made it possible to promote the diversity and achievements of Canadians.
Working in close partnership with Canadian creative community, the organizers of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games will present an ambitious, exciting and eclectic program of world class cultural events.
The cornerstone of the cultural program for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games is the Cultural Olympiad, a series of three multi-disciplinary festivals that grows in scope from 2008 through 2010.
For more information about the cultural programming for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, visit www.vancouver2010.com.
