A Vancouver media release says that more than 100 respected leaders in Canada’s artistic scene, representing some of the country’s most influential artists, cultural and theatrical practitioners, directors, writers, designers and community leaders, gathered in Vancouver Friday until Feb. 4 and over the next two weekends to participate in six Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games Ceremonies Symposia.
The symposia are being held to ensure the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2010 Games present a new vision and understanding of contemporary Canada to the world and will inform participants about the Ceremonies and the venues where they will be staged.
Between 25 and 35 different participants will take part in open, unencumbered discussion and a free exchange of ideas at the symposia, said Vancouver 2010 officials. Participants have been selected to represent different artistic milieu and to represent each Canadian province and region.
The program includes briefings on the VANOC brand and the required elements of Olympic Ceremonies (such as the lighting of the Olympic Flame, the parade of athletes, the raising of the Olympic Flag) as well as other “spectacular” elements including pyrotechnics costumes, music and anthems. Each symposium will also include a visit to BC Place Stadium and a session to present feedback and ideas.
David Guscott, executive vice president, Celebrations and Partnerships with Vancouver 2010 said, “the 2010 Winter Games Ceremonies Symposia give Canada’s cultural and artistic community an opportunity to directly engage, inform and actively contribute to the Ceremonies process. By participating in the symposia, contributors are helping us reach our goal of portraying the essence and soul of Canada to a worldwide television audience of up to three billion…no small feat. We’re grateful for their help”.
David Atkins, Opening and Closing Ceremonies Executive Producer, and producer of the Sydney 2000 Summer Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and his team, will use feedback and ideas from the symposia to inform the unique story of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. They will use the feedback and input to help build a creative concept that truly captures the spirit of Vancouver/Whistler Canada and Canadians “through innovative, engaging and ultimately spectacularly memorable Ceremonies” said Vancouver 2010.
