Newham Heritage Month is hosting events to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the London 2012 Olympic Games through fashion, grime, performance art, spoken word and graffiti sessions exploring the impact on the LGBTQ+ community.

This year’s festival, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, is themed around ‘What London 2012 Means to Us’.

There will be free events and activities taking place both live and online every week throughout June in 27 venues across the Borough, created by local community members.

The V&A will create a special project for Newham Heritage Month titled ‘Making East London Porcelain’. The project, supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s Capability for Collections Fund, focusses on the celebrated Bow Porcelain Factory.

The project will shine light on the extraordinary and little-known collection of Bow Porcelain held by the London Borough of Newham.

The month will also offer opportunities for sporting activity, including the chance to take part in a sports day for children living with disabilities.

Other events include:

The ‘Shadows of the Olympics’ – addressing the Games’ impact on the housing situation in Newham

projects celebrating the history of Newham’s women in sport produced by the East End Women’s Museum

playback theatre sessions from True Heart Theatre examining the role sports has played in the lives of South Asian and Caribbean communities in Newham.

The National Lottery grant aims to support the development of a heritage that embraces and celebrates the diversity of Newham, London’s youngest borough.

Stuart McLeod, Director, England London and South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “The London 2012 Olympics had a huge impact on Newham, as well as across London.

“Thanks to National Lottery players, we can explore these stories, whether through music, oral history or theatre and make sure they can be told for many generations to come. It will be the perfect way to celebrate the 10th anniversary.”

The full programme will launch on 1 June 2022. Newham Heritage Month is organised by Newham Council as part of Newham Unlocked.

newhamheritagemonth.org

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