WIREDGOV

The vision for the London 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony, taking place on 29 August 2012, was announced recently by its Co-Artistic Directors Jenny Sealey and Bradley Hemmings.

Entitled 'Enlightenment', the ceremony will celebrate the inspirational spirit of the Paralympic Games and will challenge perceptions of human possibility.

It will feature an adult volunteer cast of over 3000, a children volunteer cast of over 100, and a professional cast of over 100. Signalling the start of the event will be a flypast by Aerobility, a UK charity that trains disabled people to become pilots.

Also taking part will be Millfields Community School in Hackney, Eastlea Community School in Newham and Trinity School in Barking and Dagenham.

In the lead-up, 50 specialist performers will participate in an Arts Council England-funded eight week circus skills programme. Based at Circus Space in Hackney, the programme will see disabled performers, including established artists and people new to the arts such as rehabilitating soldiers and non-competing Paralympians, learn circus arts skills.

Moira Sinclair, London Executive Director, Arts Council England commented:
'The Paralympic Opening Ceremony is an unparalleled opportunity to put the best of British arts on an international stage, to create new audiences and to celebrate the work of our world class deaf and disabled artists.'

For further details, visit the London 2012 website.