Menu
28/01/2011
'Giant Strides' For Northern Ireland in 2012
Northern Ireland will host one of the largest outdoor arts celebrations as part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad.
Legacy Trust UK today announced its final selection of four community celebrations to be held outside of London with an award of £750,000 to each event.
Stormont Sports and Arts Minister, Nelson McCausland, today welcomed the announcement that Land of Giants, a programme of events over the summer months of 2012, will take its inspiration from a number of 'Giants' that are present in Northern Ireland's history both ancient and modern.
Special focus will be given to four giants - Finn McCool, the giant who 'built' the iconic Giant's Causeway, Gulliver, Jonathan Swift's fictional giant - whose features that are outlined in Cave Hill above north Belfast - and Samson and Goliath, the two cranes which have dominated the east Belfast skyline for the past 40 years and the Titanic together with her less famous sister - but equally huge - ship, the Olympic.
The cultural inspiration of these giants will fuse together in a Giant Party linking to the Olympic values, and the aspiration of Northern Ireland for a 'shared and better future'. The party will be the largest outdoor arts celebration ever staged in Northern Ireland.
A consortia, which includes Belfast City Council, BEAT Initiative, Belfast Community Circus School and Young at Art was selected to deliver Land of Giants.
Welcoming the announcement, Minister McCausland said: "This celebration will recognize the creative talent we have in Northern Ireland for outdoor arts.
"I congratulate the consortium for their excellent concept which champions Northern Ireland's cultural giants," he said.
"Through Land of Giants, Northern Ireland will realise a significant benefit that the London 2012 Games are bringing to Northern Ireland, one which will allow communities across the UK to come together to be part of the celebrations.
"The Olympics are about more that just sport and there is no doubt that 2012 will see a spectacular programme of artistic work on a scale unseen before.
"It will offer a unique opportunity to platform Northern Ireland's cultural tourism offer and allow all of us to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime global event."
The news came just 24 hours after the start of large-scale construction work on the new Giant's Causeway World Heritage Site Visitors' Centre in Co Antrim.
See: Latest Steps In Causeway Centre Taken
(BMcC/GK)
Legacy Trust UK today announced its final selection of four community celebrations to be held outside of London with an award of £750,000 to each event.
Stormont Sports and Arts Minister, Nelson McCausland, today welcomed the announcement that Land of Giants, a programme of events over the summer months of 2012, will take its inspiration from a number of 'Giants' that are present in Northern Ireland's history both ancient and modern.
Special focus will be given to four giants - Finn McCool, the giant who 'built' the iconic Giant's Causeway, Gulliver, Jonathan Swift's fictional giant - whose features that are outlined in Cave Hill above north Belfast - and Samson and Goliath, the two cranes which have dominated the east Belfast skyline for the past 40 years and the Titanic together with her less famous sister - but equally huge - ship, the Olympic.
The cultural inspiration of these giants will fuse together in a Giant Party linking to the Olympic values, and the aspiration of Northern Ireland for a 'shared and better future'. The party will be the largest outdoor arts celebration ever staged in Northern Ireland.
A consortia, which includes Belfast City Council, BEAT Initiative, Belfast Community Circus School and Young at Art was selected to deliver Land of Giants.
Welcoming the announcement, Minister McCausland said: "This celebration will recognize the creative talent we have in Northern Ireland for outdoor arts.
"I congratulate the consortium for their excellent concept which champions Northern Ireland's cultural giants," he said.
"Through Land of Giants, Northern Ireland will realise a significant benefit that the London 2012 Games are bringing to Northern Ireland, one which will allow communities across the UK to come together to be part of the celebrations.
"The Olympics are about more that just sport and there is no doubt that 2012 will see a spectacular programme of artistic work on a scale unseen before.
"It will offer a unique opportunity to platform Northern Ireland's cultural tourism offer and allow all of us to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime global event."
The news came just 24 hours after the start of large-scale construction work on the new Giant's Causeway World Heritage Site Visitors' Centre in Co Antrim.
See: Latest Steps In Causeway Centre Taken
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 March 2023
Pupils Urged To Be 'More Active, More Of The Time'
Northern Ireland footballer Joely Andrews and Belfast Giant Josh Roach have helped to inspire some 700 primary school pupils to become 'more active, more of the time' at this year's Department for Communities' Celebration of Sport.
Pupils Urged To Be 'More Active, More Of The Time'
Northern Ireland footballer Joely Andrews and Belfast Giant Josh Roach have helped to inspire some 700 primary school pupils to become 'more active, more of the time' at this year's Department for Communities' Celebration of Sport.
09 June 2016
Belfast Zoo Reveals Name Of Baby Giant Anteater
The Belfast Zoo has revealed the name of a baby giant anteater after receiving almost 400 public votes. The baby girl, who was born on 22 December to parents Pancho and Kara, has been named Zira. Zoo curator, Alyn Cairns, said: "Kara is a fantastic mum and for the first six months, she has been carrying the baby on her back.
Belfast Zoo Reveals Name Of Baby Giant Anteater
The Belfast Zoo has revealed the name of a baby giant anteater after receiving almost 400 public votes. The baby girl, who was born on 22 December to parents Pancho and Kara, has been named Zira. Zoo curator, Alyn Cairns, said: "Kara is a fantastic mum and for the first six months, she has been carrying the baby on her back.
06 August 2012
Belfast To Host Strongest Man Comp
Belfast is to host the World and UK Strongest Man competitions. The Belfast Ultimate Strongman Giant Weekend will run from August 23 to Monday August 27 in the Odyssey Arena on Queen's Quay, home to the ice hockey team the Belfast Giants. Nine hours of coverage from the events will be televised around the globe.
Belfast To Host Strongest Man Comp
Belfast is to host the World and UK Strongest Man competitions. The Belfast Ultimate Strongman Giant Weekend will run from August 23 to Monday August 27 in the Odyssey Arena on Queen's Quay, home to the ice hockey team the Belfast Giants. Nine hours of coverage from the events will be televised around the globe.
07 April 2003
Final Whistle brings Giant success
The Belfast Giants are celebrating their first Superleague play-off title today after beating London Knights 5-3 in Nottingham yesterday. It was the perfect tonic for manager Dave Whistle who now leaves to go and manage German side Iserlohn Roosters next season.
Final Whistle brings Giant success
The Belfast Giants are celebrating their first Superleague play-off title today after beating London Knights 5-3 in Nottingham yesterday. It was the perfect tonic for manager Dave Whistle who now leaves to go and manage German side Iserlohn Roosters next season.
26 October 2022
Giant's Causeway Chosen As One Of The World's Most Important Geology Site
Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway has been selected as one of the world's most important geology sites by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).
Giant's Causeway Chosen As One Of The World's Most Important Geology Site
Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway has been selected as one of the world's most important geology sites by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
