31/07/18 GEORGE SQUARE The Beats Per Minute art installation in George - GLASGOW

George Square is being transformed into a spectacular playground as the beating heart of Glasgow 2018

Whether it’s the chance to view a stunning 14 metre wide handshake between giant friends, or to experience the thrill of an athlete’s race to glory, Glasgow’s George Square has been transformed into a spectacular playground as part of the city’s celebration of the European Championships.

A striking landmark installation by contemporary artists Joanne Tatham and Tom O’Sullivan provides a welcoming entrance to a Square packed with a host of free activities for all the family to enjoy.

Also revealed is the cutting edge technology used in the immersive Beats Per Minute experience which will transport audiences entering the geodesic dome in the Square into the world experienced by the athletes as they undertake their incredible feats of endurance.

festival-2018-logo

Along with a whole host of acts due to entertain the crowds from the large stage, these amazing attractions are at the centre of the Festival 2018 activity in the Square.

Festival 2018 will see hundreds of events with the very best in music, dance, theatre, visual arts, food and much more taking place across Glasgow and Scotland with internationally acclaimed and emerging artists along with young people from throughout the city and beyond starring.

With many of the events free to attend, there will be something for the whole family to enjoy at Festival 2018.

Check out the George Square daily schedule for highlights:

Wednesday 1 August
Thursday 2 August
Friday 3 August
Saturday 4 August
Sunday 5 August
Monday 6 August
Tuesday 7 August
Wednesday 8 August
Thursday 9 August
Friday 10 August
Saturday 11 August
Sunday 12 August

Cryptic Portal 2_Credit Robbie Thomson

Credit image Robbie Thomson

Portal

Portal – the major public art event in the Clyde Tunnel by Cryptic Sonica in Glasgow

Glasgow artist Robbie Thomson invites audiences to experience a subterranean odyssey deep under the River Clyde with mysterious creatures, light sculpture and a haunting new soundtrack by Alex Menzies (aka Alex Smoke).

Artists, arts organisations, community and youth groups and Festival organisers are hard at work putting finishing touches to the incredible range of events taking place.

go live at the green

Glasgow Green at GO LIVE!

GO LIVE! at the Green will take place from 2-12 August. This innovative live experience will bring together sport, fitness, health, arts, food and drink as never before in an engaging and exciting way to encourage people to lead healthy and active lives.

At the Green will be joined by shows at venues big and small, familiar and surprising, throughout Glasgow and across Scotland.

Work has been inspired by the people, places, history and ambitions of Glasgow and Scotland, and international collaborations between Glasgow and Berlin – the co-host for the Glasgow 2018 European Championships.

Highlights

Highlights include Citizens of Everywhere! from Douglas Gordon, Jackie Kay, and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra; the Civic Canteen tent; a unique circus experience when Extraordinary Bodies present What Am I Worth?;  New Order & Other Spaces, which explores the gymnastic body across photography, moving image and installation; a very special concert from Celtic Connections;  the Kitchen Garden Food Village on Glasgow Green bringing the best of Scottish food to festival audiences; and one of the city’s most popular annual events, The Merchant City Festival, presenting a special Festival 2018 programme.

festival 2018 the great big opening party

The celebrations begin in style on Wednesday 1 August from 4pm in George Square with The Great Big Opening Party starring some of the most famous names in Scottish music today, including Nina Nesbitt, Elephant Sessions, Sacred Paws, C Duncan, and The Ayoub Sisters.

About Festival 2018
 
Full programme details

Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop, said:

“It’s exciting to see that Festival 2018 will finally open its doors. Its inclusive and diverse programme of activity, showcasing the very best of Scottish culture across different art forms, will offer something for everyone.

“Through this culturally excellent and innovative programme, Festival 2018 is the perfect platform to showcase Scotland’s talent and strengthen connections – both at home and internationally.

“As we celebrate this Year of Young People and thanks to the digital links between Glasgow and Berlin, the festival will display the work of established and younger artists from Scotland and Germany to wide ranging audiences across Europe, ensuring everyone can have a great time out during the Championships.

“I am pleased that the Scottish Government has played a key role in providing financial support for both the festival and the European Championships. Our expertise in delivering excellent cultural programming and supporting major sporting events is recognised as innovative and world-leading.”

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said:

“After all the preparations and hard work it’s almost time for the celebrations to begin. The artists and community groups are ready to share their work with us. And what an incredible range of work it is!

“There’s musical stars and stars of the future with Glasgow showing once again why we’re a UNESCO City of Music, there’s street theatre to surprise and delight, technology to amaze, insightful visual art and culinary treats that also ask us to view the world in a different way.

“There truly is something for everyone to enjoy. So please do join us at Festival 2018 this August in Glasgow and Scotland. It’s going to be a wonderful celebration of Scottish culture on an international stage.”

1. The 2018 European Championships will be staged by the European Federations and the Host Cities of Glasgow and Berlin. https://www.europeanchampionships.com
2. The Glasgow 2018 event will be held between 2nd and 12th August and the European Athletics Championships will be between 7th and 12th August in Berlin.
3. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the umbrella body for Europe free-to-air channels, will be the broadcast partner for the Championships, with a potential television audience of around 1.03 billion.
4. More than 3,000 athletes will travel to Scotland as part of a total delegation of around 8,500 including officials, media and others. A further 1,500 athletes will compete in Berlin.
5. Glasgow and Scotland will host 12 sports – Diving, Open Water Swimming, Swimming, Synchronised Swimming, Road Cycling, Track Cycling, BMX, Mountain Biking, Golf Team Championships, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon – across 12 venues in partnership with the city of Berlin which will host the Athletics.
6. Festival 2018 is the world-class arts and culture programme that will complement the 11 days of sporting events in Glasgow and Scotland with a host of free activities for the whole family to enjoy.
7. Glasgow 2018’s official partner level sponsors are Glasgow City Council, Scottish Government, Strathmore and SPAR International.
8. Glasgow 2018 will celebrate the Scottish Government’s Year of Young People (YOYP) 2018 – inspiring Scotland through its young people aged 8 to 2 by celebrating their achievements, valuing their contributions to communities and creating new opportunities for them to shine locally, nationally and globally.

GO Live at Glasgow Green 2018
Royston Youth Action, Community Fun Day 2018

This section: Community event, Dance, Events, Fairs, Festivals and Fundraisers, Festival 2018, Gig Guide plus Club Events, Merchant City Festival, What's On Glasgow West End: cinema, clubs, theatre, music, events, festivals, community and more

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Avatar of PatByrne Publisher of Pat's Guide to Glasgow West End; the community guide to the West End of Glasgow. Fiction and non-fiction writer.

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