![[Photograph by ###]](assets/templates/mytemplates/jeanefer-com/assets/assets-4-productions-readme/kinetika-castle-productions-past-l.jpg "Kinetika")
Kinetika Carnival Company
2008 Beijing
The only nation I have now is my imagination.
Derek Walcott (Nobel prize winner)
The Mayor of London has asked Kinetika, the leading UK carnival arts company, to participate in the Beijing International Youth Festival in China from 11 to 16 July. The Kinetika Bloco has been chosen to represent London as part of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Cultural Festival. Thirty-five costumed performers (aged from 14-24 years old) from London performed Imagination: Our Nation (inspired by Nobel prize winning Derek Walcott), that explores contemporary British cultural identity over the next seven years, with the capital - London - as the focal point. Performances took place on the Great Wall of China and Tiananmen Square The Kinetika Bloco is led by Artistic Director & Designer Ali Pretty, Choreographer Jeanefer Jean-Charles and Musical Director Mat Fox.
The trip, supported by the Mayor’s Office, saw youth representatives from all across the world come together with the aim of sharing and connecting each others cultural journeys. Many cultures co-exist within London and the diversity of London’s population and global citizenship is also emblematic of the Olympic sprit. The International Youth Olympics allowed young people from the UK to learn about the Beijing and the Chinese culture as well as give them the opportunity to share their own culture practices. The Beijing International Youth Festival was organised by the Beijing Olympic Games Organising Committee, the Beijing Tourism Office and the District Municipal Government.
Ali Pretty, Artistic Director of Kinetika: “Imagination: Our Nation is a project that is driven by the belief that in London we can celebrate our unique position of living in a city which houses the world. Never before has there been a time where we have such an opportunity to participate, through the arts, in a dialogue between cultures, which will become even more relevant as we lead up to the 2012 Olympics.”
Ken Livingstone, former Mayor of London: "The Beijing International Youth Festival is a fantastic opportunity for young people from many nations to participate in cultural exchange, shared learning and activities. Kinetika have brought lively and colourful creativity to the streets of London and I am pleased they are taking part in this international event."
