HISTORICALLY, the early Olympic Games featured an event intended to complement the competitive sports, by celebrating the creative and performing arts. Known as the Cultural Olympiad, it has grown steadily in importance over the past century. Down the years, many host countries have used it as an opportunity to showcase national traditions, although Mexico (1968), Los Angeles (1984) and Barcelona (1992), took an international approach.
This time around, while Southern Crossroads provides a rich introduction to the local heritage, international possibilities are pretty exhaustive, considering that it takes over an hour just to read the programme.
Without having to go beyond the "Olympic Ring" designated area at the heart of Atlanta, visitors can view 21 exhibitions, attend over 200 theatrical performances and free concerts, in a total of 28 venues. Literary seminars, photographic exhibitions and open air art installations and sculptures are also featured.
Planning a week of culture instead of athletics starting on Friday night, for example, the energetic arts lover could easily take in Combo, a world premiere dance work from the Soweto Street Beat group Brahms Symphony No. 2 in D performed by the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra The Hunger Tiger and Other Tales from the People's Republic of China at the Centre for Puppetry Arts the California impressionists at the Georgia Museum of Art The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938, Michael Curtiz) as part of the Centenary of Film celebration a Japanese folk tale, entitled Kaguyahime, interpreted by the Netherlands Dance Theatre or the international Opera Gala, featuring Dame Gwyneth Jones, Tracy Dahl and Vladimir Popov.
"These Olympic Games will be unlike any before," says Margaret Doyle, publicist for the Cultural Olympiad. "In celebration of the centennial of the games, and of the world's cultures coming together, we wanted to do artistically what's already happening athletically, with all the world coming to Atlanta.
The traditional Olympic flame will literally tower over proceedings, contained in American artist Siah Armajani's Olympic Cauldron. This specially commissioned work rests on top of a 111 foot construction, and its flame will he lit at the official opening ceremony, which is the only event that has not been pre-publicised.
"Performers and musicians will also take part in the opening ceremonies," Doyle confirms, "although those details are being kept secret because of the element of surprise, which has become increasingly important. But it will be worth waiting for."
