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Unlimited festival celebrates inspiration of Paralympics

200 disabled and deaf artists present work that celebrates Games and breaks down barriers

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

From stand-up comedy to underwater dancing in a wheelchair, the London 2012 Festival is presenting a series of groundbreaking commissions by disabled and deaf artists.

The Unlimited programme, originally initiated as part of the Cultural Olympiad, features 29 new works taking place across the UK to celebrate the inspiration of the Paralympics.

All of the commissions will then be brought together in London at the Southbank Centre’s Unlimited Festival from 30 August to 9 September.

“The Unlimited programme is unprecedented, offering more commissioning for disabled and deaf artists than any Cultural Olympiad or festival to date,” said Ruth Mackenzie, Director of the London 2012 Festival.

“We are delighted to have had the opportunity to work with world-class artists who have created brilliant work that will inspire and change perceptions when we welcome the world to London during the Paralympic Games. I hope this will be one of our most important legacies for future Games and for disabled and deaf artists both in the UK and internationally.”

Jude Kelly, Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre, added: “The Paralympics changed sport forever in terms of people’s understanding of the talent of disabled people. Unlimited provides the same platform for Deaf and disabled artists to show the extraordinary talent, range and perseverance necessary to make great work. This is a milestone event for culture not just in the UK but across the world.”

Two hundred artists will take part in Unlimited, which features a range of work from short films and outdoor circus to dance and multi-sensory art installations.

See the full London 2012 festival line-up during the Paralympic Games.

Further information

Published 30 August 2012