Cultural events countdown for 2014 Commonwealth Games

The year-long countdown to the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is to be marked by a 12-month cultural programme of theatre, dance, music and comedy.

Culture 2014, which begins this month, will see events held around Scotland.

It will culminate in Festival 2014 - a mix of culture and street performances in Glasgow during the games.

The brand to promote the programme - designed by Scottish artist Jim Lambie - is based on the star-clad facade of Glasgow's Barrowland Ballroom.

Mr Lambie said he was delighted to be asked to design the cultural symbol for the games.

'Important reference'

"One of the most significant cultural contributions to Glasgow has been Glasgow Barrowlands," he said.

"This became an important reference within the design process.

"Its iconic shooting star emblem has been placed central within the cultural programme's identity, while maintaining continuity with the overall image of the games."

The 2014 cultural programme will feature a "Big Big Sing" - a range of singing events across Scotland from October 2013, an online Commonwealth choir, and staged singing events in Glasgow during the games.

Organisers also said another highlight would be "Perch" - aerial street theatre which would see global performance on multiple stages high above streets in Scotland, Australia, and Brazil.

Another event, "News Just In", was described as a "continually evolving, satirical comedy set in a fictional media office of Glasgow 2014". This will mix live theatre, a live studio audience, filmed news reports and online content.

Cycling marathon

The Julia Donaldson Cycling Marathon will see actor Tam Dean Burn travel by bicycle to locations across Scotland and read to children all of former Children's' Laureate Julia Donaldson's 167 books.

The 2014 cultural programme is a collaboration between the games' organising committee, Creative Scotland and Glasgow Life.

Janet Archer, chief executive of Creative Scotland, said the planned events would be "incredible".

"World leading artists and local communities will work together in a wide range of different places," she said.

"Work will be cutting edge, insightful, fun, spectacular and intimate. It will challenge and delight."

She added: "Today is just the beginning of a programme that is an integral part of the Commonwealth Games, a truly national celebration that shines a light on our artists, our culture, our creativity, our communities and our places."