Expression 2017 - A report

The theme for the competition was ‘Olympic Games and Peace’. The idea was conceived to hold a drawing and painting competition as means to harness children’s creativity and perception of this theme through illustrations and sketches, and learn about Olympic values and peace through sports.

Participants from St. Lawrence High School and other Jesuit schools worldwide took part in ‘Expression 2017’. The competition for other Jesuit school worldwide is open until 15 August 2017. 

Olympian and artist Mr Roald Bradstock, who is better known as the “Olympic Picasso” is the event ambassador for ‘Expression’. 

Peace and Sport and Educate Magis were partners for the event.

June 22, 2017 – A Day before “Expression 2017”

Students of SLHS gave a huge welcome to Mr Roald Bradstock by throwing colourful paper planes in the school yard. 2,152 students created a new world record for the most amount of paper planes thrown at once. This gesture was organised to pay tribute to Mr Bradstock as he previously represented Great Britain at the Olympics in the javelin throwing event. President of the Bengal Hockey Association, Mr Noomi Mehta, was present as chief guest of the event.

A video is available here.

Later in the day Mr Bradstock visited all 36 classrooms at the school in his colourful javelin throwing attire. He enjoyed taking selfies and signing autographs for the students. The day rounded off with a press conference on Sport and Art – A New Platform for Peace.

June 22, 2017 – “Expression 2017” on Olympic Day

Olympic Day started off with a wonderful video shared with us by The IOC Olympic Studies Centre. This was followed by an introductory session on ‘Expression 2017’ - ‘Expression’ is not just an art competition but a movement to spread Olympic values and benefits of sport for development and peace in the society. ‘Expression’ ambassador Mr Roald Bradstock and Olympian Mr Joydeep Karmakar were felicitated. Olympian legend Mr Gurbux Singh was also felicitated later in the day. 

Video messages from Mr Joël Bouzou, President of Peace and Sport and Dr Constantinos Filis Director of the International Olympic Truce Centre were played during the session. Olympian Dr Maylon Hanold, Associate Director of Sport Administration and Leadership programme at Seattle University conducted an interactive talk via Skype on Sport, Peace and her Olympic experience.

At 12:30pm Mr Bradstock put paint on the canvas first to create a beautiful painting and flagged off the competition. More than 2,000 children from St. Lawrence High School took part in ‘Expression 2017’.  

Special thanks to our supporters: Ambassador to Greece in India,  The Olympic Museum The Olympic Studies Centre, Olympic Channel, Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Committee, sportanddev.org, The International Olympic Truce Centre,  Truce Foundation of the U.S.A, Art of the Olympians, Seattle University, International Hockey Federation (F.IH), Hockey India, Bengal Hockey Association and Dr Shashi Tharoor [former Under Secretary General (UN)].  

 The event was well covered by print and electronic media including Olympic Channel.

[This article has been edited by the Operating Team.]