THE night sky around Ely Cathedral was bathed in pink on Friday night for the launch of the Cultural Olympiad. East Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council co-hosted the event, which included performances from Ely Imps and the E

THE night sky around Ely Cathedral was bathed in pink on Friday night for the launch of the Cultural Olympiad.

East Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council co-hosted the event, which included performances from Ely Imps and the Ely Cathedral Boys Choir.

The event was to promote the key theme of the Olympiad lighting up lives and also celebrate the diversity of culture in Great Britain.

Cllr Peter Cresswell, chairman of East Cambs District Council, speaking at Friday night's event, said: "The cathedral is an iconic landmark and it is only fitting that it should have been chosen to lead the county's celebrations. The London 2012 Olympics will not only be a spectacular sporting event, it will also mark the vitality and diversity of Great Britain through the Cultural Olympiad. We are about to embark on an exciting time for sport, the arts, and heritage over the next four years and the council is committed to celebrate and develop more activities and events to promote the district's rich and diverse cultural sector."

Cllr Tony Orgee, chairman of Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "London 2012 will be a special time for the whole of the country. Not only will it be our chance to celebrate our sporting prestige, it will mark the opportunity to remind the world of our great history and cultural identity."

The Cambridge Audio and Visual Company covered the lights in the Octagon tower and the west door in pink reflective material to give the cathedral its pink glow.

On Sunday evening, a procession led by the Ely Waits group, walked through Cherry Hill park to Jubilee Gardens where there was a performance by Ely Sinfonia.