Stories of the World
The official Cultural Olympiad programme for London 2012.
Colchester and Ipswich Museums has joined forces with other museums across the region to present ‘Eastern Exchanges’ a major project that involves exhibitions, events, artist residencies and community projects which unlock the secrets and stories of China, India and Pakistan. At the heart of Eastern Exchanges are the region’s young people, creating exciting new ways for visitors to experience great collections.
You can find out more about ‘Eastern Exchanges’ on the Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service website.
For its contribution towards ‘Eastern Exchanges’ Colchester and Ipswich Museum is working with ten pupils from the Gilberd School in Colchester.
The young people were selected in a competition which saw them film and edit their own documentaries about Colchester Castle.
This was to prepare the winners for their trip of a lifetime to China in February 2011 where their new found filming skills came in very handy!
Thinking about all of their amazing experiences and exploration of Chinese culture the pupils are now co-curating a major exhibition at Colchester Castle called ‘Treasures of China’. This stunning exhibition will open on June 30th 2012 and will showcase treasures from Nanjing Museum in Jiangsu province, China.
Find out more on the People and Place website.
In partnership with Essex County Council:
Essex County Council and the Foreign Affairs Office of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government have had a special relationship for 24 years. This link has developed over the years to bring many benefits to both regions. In addition to the business and cultural opportunities on both sides, 88 Essex schools are linked with schools in Jiangsu. In 2008, Essex County Council celebrated the friendship between the two governments with the Essex - Jiangsu Cultural Festival which launched the beginning of the Cultural Olympiad in Essex. A festival highlight was the Guardians to the Kings exhibition at Colchester Museum, with Han figurines from Xuzhou Museum in the north of Jiangsu. These special projects, including Treasures of China are possible because of the support of Essex County Council and the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government as part of the link between the two regions.
Contact for Essex County Council: Belinda Farrell.
International Cultural Festival Manager 01245 347456 or Belinda.Farrell@essex.gov.uk.