Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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Paralympic Torch Relay plans
Four separate flames will come together at a special ceremony.
Plans for the Paralympic Torch Relay to lead the UK into the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games on 29 August 2012 were announced this morning.
The relay will involve separate flames being lit in four cities and will begin on 25 August 2012 in London, followed by flame lighting moments in the greater Belfast area, Edinburgh and Cardiff.
The flames will then be brought together at a special ceremony held at Stoke Mandeville, home of the Paralympic Movement, before being taken on a 24 hour relay to Stratford for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
“The Paralympic Games next summer is our chance to change people’s attitudes towards disability,” said Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt. “The Torch Relay will take the Paralympics to each home nation helping to build excitement for the Games and awareness of disability sport.”
Flame festivals
In addition to the lighting events there will be a series of evening celebrations called Flame Festivals. In preparation for these, lantern making workshops will be held on that day and earlier in the summer. People from all communities can participate in the Flame Festival finale, a lantern procession accompanied by specially selected Torchbearers.
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