The London Olympics are over, but Cultural Olympiad continues

A view of the festivities at Olympic Stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics.

By David Ng

Aug. 13, 2012 12 AM PT

The Summer Olympics in London ended on Sunday with a loud, rock-infused closing ceremony. But the celebrations aren’t finished yet. The London 2012 Festival, part of Britain’s larger Cultural Olympiad, will continue through early September.

Despite its title, the London 2012 Festival is a countrywide event that brings together art exhibitions, theatrical performances and classical concerts. The festival is set to run through Sept. 9, which is the final day of the Paralympic Games (its competitors include the double amputee from South Africa, runner Oscar Pistorius).

Among the more heavily promoted shows is a photography exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery featuring images of Olympic athletes -- including British diver and bronze medalist Tom Daley -- and others involved in putting together the Games.

Turner Prize-winning artist Susan Philipsz recently opened a new sound installation that is spread over multiple sites in Edinburgh and was commissioned by the Edinburgh Art Festival.

The Royal Shakespeare Festival continues with its World Shakespeare Festival, which brings companies together from all over the world to perform all of Shakespeare’s plays at theaters across Britain.

Officials of the London 2012 Festival estimate that there will be approximately 12,000 performances during the entirety of the run. A full list of events can be found at the festival’s website.

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