London 2012 blog

Hi and welcome to my very first blog!

My name is Gabre Minkah and I've been introduced to London 2012 via an award from the Cultural Leadership Programme to undertake a six month 'peach' placement as a Youth Culture Associate for the creative industries - specifically fashion, film, dance and carnival. 

As a Youth Culture Associate I am an advocate and champion for youth involvement for the major projects of the Cultural Olympiad. My role here is to ensure that youth involvement and engagement is at the heart of all we do. To achieve this I will be working with cultural leaders, institutions, community groups and artist’s to stimulate, encourage, and nurture young talent and innovation. I really believe that this is essential to building a positive legacy for the creative industries.

In my first three weeks of being here, I've already seen the Culture Team reach the important milestone of announcing that the Cultural Olympiad is 'open for business'. I've also attended meetings to do with carnival, dance and the Handover Ceremony and have visited the Olympic Park - and this is only the start!

I think film, fashion, dance and carnival really capture what young people are about. Young people are daring enough to try new things, challenge convention and conceive of something new and exciting. Films by young filmmakers capture the reality of young people today by telling the stories of their lives, opinions and influences in their own words – what can be more refreshing?! 

It's the same with fashion. The new generation of designers breathe fresh breaths of life into the fashion industry by capturing the boundless creativity of the imagination within the material, cuts, fastenings and styles of innovative fashion design.

Young people also take the lead with dance too by constantly reinventing movements of the past with what’s current, creating completely new forms of dance for everyone to enjoy, and the very spectacular of the costumes, floats, sound systems, soca music and masqueraders of carnival combines film, fashion and dance all within one hugely popular world renowned festival. 

I believe that celebrating young talent in the projects of the Cultural Olympiad will empower young people to develop socially, personally and professionally. The momentum of cultural activity is set to gather even greater pace in the coming months and years leading to 2012 and as I look ahead to the rest of my time here, I realise that I am a part of a unique, inspiring and committed team that is growing with each passing day. I am a 'peach' placed here to germinate, develop and grow into a future cultural leader and as a Youth Culture Associate, I will ensure that young people are aware and engaged in the Cultural Olympiad because I believe young people are the purveyors of the creative industries of tomorrow.