Royal Greenwich to host London’s most spectacular Tall Ships Regatta for 25 years
Monday 13, May 2013
The Royal Borough of Greenwich will host London’s largest Tall Ship event in 25 years thanks to an agreement between the Royal Borough of Greenwich and Sail Training International. The event, involving up to 50 of the most spectacular Tall Ships in the world, will take place in September 2014. It will be the first major Tall Ships event since London hosted the Tall Ships Race in 1989.
On 7 May, the contract to bring the Regatta back to the capital was signed on board the Lady of Avenel, a vessel with strong connections to Royal Greenwich. The former training ship was originally fitted out by Wilfred Dowman- owner of the celebrated Cutty Sark.
On the same day the Royal Borough of Greenwich launched the Royal Greenwich Festivals 2013 which will feature a new river strand that will welcome the return of Sail Royal Greenwich. Running until September 1, Sail Royal Greenwich will feature a stunning fleet of tall ships which will sail the Thames and offer visitors unforgettable views of iconic maritime Greenwich.
The Royal Greenwich Festivals have become a mainstay of the capital’s cultural scene attracting audiences from far and wide to enjoy the entertainment on offer in one of the UK’s top tourist destinations.
Local arts organisations such as Greenwich+Docklands International Festival and Greenwich Dance will showcase an eclectic mix of music, dance and performance throughout the day giving people a taste of the cultural vibrancy of Royal Greenwich.
The Royal Greenwich Festivals have firmly established Royal Greenwich as the place to experience world-class entertainment as it showcases the very best in dance, music, art and theatre. Royal Greenwich is recognised as a great place of culture, its rich mix of arts and entertainment helping to attract millions of visitors from all over the UK and worldwide every year.
Cllr Roberts, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich said: “Royal Greenwich is widely recognised as a premier destination for culture; its rich mix of arts and entertainment helping to attract more than 15 million of visitors from all over the UK and worldwide every year. We are absolutely committed to the arts – not only for the enjoyment they bring but also for the huge contribution they make to our local economy – more than 12,000 jobs depend on tourism and culture.
Royal Greenwich boasts the longest river front in London making it the best place to host the Tall Ships Regatta. This will be a fantastic opportunity to boost the economic potential of the borough even further while providing a stunning visual display and opportunities for local young people to experience sailing on the high seas ..”
The Royal Borough already supports a series of festivals, and many of the country’s best loved and most experienced cultural groups are based in the borough from the internationally renowned Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance to Greenwich and Docklands International Festival, whose Director Bradley Hemmings was joint Artistic Director for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic games.
Running throughout the year the Royal Greenwich Festivals provide some of the best and most varied entertainment in the heart of a World Heritage Site, on the banks of the River Thames.
Over 200,000 people attended last year’s events which included imaginative street performance, music to suit all tastes and invigorating dance performances.
Additional events taking place this summer include:
Greenwich Dances
Dates: 17 May to 27 June 2013
A festival of dance and movement in places and spaces across Royal Greenwich. Discover inspiring performances and join in fun workshops, as Greenwich Dance brings some of the UK’s leading dance artists to your doorstep – in streets, parks, libraries, museums and more.
Cost: A range of free and ticketed events
Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF)
Dates: 21 June to 29 June 2013
London's leading annual festival of free outdoor performing arts (theatre, dance, and street arts). A celebration of extraordinary outdoor events that transform people's lives.
Cost: A range of free events
Parksfest
Dates: 1 June to 28 July 2013
A programme of free summer events across local parks in Royal Greenwich. Residents and visitors can enjoy live music concerts to electrifying dance performances.
Cost: A range of free events
Greenwich World Cultural Festival
Date: July 2013
Greenwich Dance and Greenwich Theatre bring together professional artists and local community performers to transform the wide open spaces, secret hideaways and historic gardens of Eltham Palace. The whole family can enjoy this celebration of dance, theatre, circus and music from around the world.
Cost: To be confirmed
Greenwich Music Festival
Dates: April 2013 to March 2014
A series of public performances, including staged work, dance, chamber music concerts, film, lectures and educational outreach programs.
Cost: A range of free and ticketed events
Sail Royal Greenwich
Dates: August 28 to September 1 2014
A stunning fleet of Tall Ships will sail the Thames and offer visitors unforgettable views of iconic maritime Greenwich.
Cost: A range of ticketed and discounted events
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