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Cultural Events

The Department of Culture has developed a programme that demonstrates the cultural aspect of the Olympic Games. Accessible to all audiences, the official Cultural Programme of the Games aims to transfer the Olympic Experience beyond the Competition venues.

The Cultural Programme of ATHENS 2004 begun in March 2004 with events designed for the Greek Torch Relay, and concludes in September 2004, with events for the Paralympic Games.

It is a flexible, tailor-made programme that addresses all segments of Olympic constituents and includes performances by Greek and international artists representing all art forms.

“ATHENS 2004 Culture” is designed on the basis of:

	all the Olympic parameters during Games-time, such as the Olympic ring and its limitations, the security, the popularity of sports, the amount of spectators and so on;
	the diversity of the places where events are held. Particular events take place in the Olympic cities and the Common Domains of the Olympic venues.

The Cultural Programme of ATHENS 2004 also includes:

	the IOC Opening Ceremony that took place at Athens Concert Hall Megaron on 9 August 2004;
	the following visual arts events:
	Event Place Date Two exhibitions regarding Athens city: "The Great Sightseers of Athens" and "Views of Athens by Contemporary Greek Artists" Museum of the City of Athens Vouros-Eutaxias, Klafthmonos Square 16 June - 30 September 2004 MONUMENT TO NOW The Dakis Joannou Collection 2004: DESTE Foundation of Contemporary Art, Nea Ionia 22 June - 31 Dec. 2004 "Magna Grecia: Sports and Olympism in the Hellenic World" Museum of Cycladic Art, Kolonaki 25 June - 2 Oct. 2004

“ATHENS 2004 Culture” also consists of the cultural programme for the Paralympic Games which will include a group of highly respected Greek and international artists. All the cultural events will be hosted in indoor venues in Athens, in order to comply with Paralympic accessibility regulations for people with disabilities.

Also see: Cultural Olympiad