CHANCE TO SHOW WORLD WHO WE ARE

THE spectacular program for the free GC2018 multiarts Festival 2018 Gold Coast will be revealed today.

This is an exciting day for the Gold Coast. Festival 2018 is going to be a lot of fun and put the Gold Coast on the world map.

This event has been influenced by previous Games festival programs, but ours will take a unique Australian twist with hundreds of works performances that are set to surprise and delight us all.

It will celebrate the cultural life of this wonderful place we call home, what brings us together and what binds us.

There will be something for absolutely everyone; exactly what you and I want in an international festival program.

Not surprisingly, a couple of works have already got tongues wagging for daring to promote courageous conversations.

To be honest, I’d be disappointed if we presented a festival that didn’t create healthy chatter in some quarters, but any assertion that we are taking the fun out of Festival 2018 and GC2018 is well wide of the mark.

When the full program is launched today, you’ll see what I mean.

While the Games are about sport, the arts and cultural program provides a rare opportunity to showcase to the world an eclectic collection of talent through entertainment, visual art, music, dance, workshops and food experiences.

FESTIVAL 2018 IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF FUN AND PUT THE GOLD COAST ON THE MAP

It’s a chance to develop local artists - to give them a platform that they’d never have otherwise and to create a lasting artistic and performance legacy.

Some of the greatest names in sport are on their way to the Gold Coast and, alongside us all, they’ll witness the greatest line up of entertainment ever assembled for a Commonwealth Games.

Festival 2018 is a landmark event that will do the athletes, our city and state and all of us proud.