Liverpool is arts-crazy this summer, celebrating its designation as the European Capital of Culture 2008. The Liverpool Culture Company says it is "overseeing the largest public and community arts scheme in Europe -- Creative Communities. ... At the core of Creative Communities is a simple aim - to harness the creativity of Liverpool's people by making creativity an integral component of everyday life." There are dozens of diverse celebrations, including a Free Thinking Festival and Around the City in 80 Pubs, plus Community Shakespeare; arts-education showcases in every school; a whole-city exhibition of "A City in Progress"; a European Youth Parliament; "Alice in Wonderland" in parks all over Merseyside; arts & health events; neighborhood-based arts projects; an Internet gathering place and clearinghouse, "Open Culture"; and hundreds of performances and participatory opportunities in every creative direction (in Europe that includes Sport). [LINK] Posted by Linda Frye Burnham