The One Hackney Festival

A street parade of colour and music will greet Hackney residents in July when performers from Brazil's famous Rio Carnival comes to town.

The Carnival will be part of the One Hackney Festival, a borough-wide street festival and parade to mark the arrival of the Olympic Torch to Hackney on the 21st.

One Hackney Festival 2012, the borough's biggest-ever street festival, is a 12-week cultural collaboration running from 21 June to 9 September.

Launching the project in Rio, Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympics and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) said: "People around the UK, in Brazil and right across the world will be able to enjoy the brilliance of these artists' work during the London 2012 Festival in the build up to Rio 2016 and beyond."

Hackney groups preparing costumes, dance and music for the parade will receive masterclasses from Rio artists such as Fundicao Progresso in Lapa and the leading Brazilian disabled carnival group, Embaixadores da Alegria.  They will work together to create a 2,000-strong parade which will tell the story of Hackney as it travels from Shoreditch Park to Clissold Park for a massive welcome for the torch.

Everyone is invited

The street parade forms just one part of the Festival but there will be many other opportunities for you to get involved on the day. Explore fringe music, food and dance events across Hackney's town centres and shake your booty in a mass celebration dance to our own Hackney Anthem at Clissold Park's all-day festival.

Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney, said: "21 July is going to be a fantastic day of celebration in Hackney and we want as many residents as possible to take part. Whether it's joining in the parade, coming to watch it and the Olympic flame go by, or enjoying the many activities taking place, I'd urge everyone to get involved."

Get involved

Community participation is key. Could you be part of the parade itself, or maybe you know local talent that we should feature in one of the borough-wide events? If so, please contact getinvolved@keithkhanassociates.com at Keith Khan Associates, who are organising the day on behalf of Hackney Council. 

For more information

Watch this space for the latest news about the One Hackney Festival.  

For the latest 2012 news and events visit the 2012 News and Events page. 

For more information about the Olympic Torch Relay see www.london2012.com/olympic-torch-relay.

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