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Short films ahead of London 2012
We like to think Britain's known as a place of tolerance, but also as a place of passion and energy with a great sense of fun.
A place where a tradition of independent-mindedness and free thinking fuels a remarkable dynamism and creativity.
But what do others think of us?
We've spoken to some of the many visitors from other countries who have found in the UK a place to study, a place to work or a place of refuge. We asked them to speak about their experiences of the UK. The resulting series of films gives a range of perspectives.
Manoj Badale
“If you want to build your own business you’ve got everything you need in this country”
Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso
‘Person to person interaction is very strong in this country and I cherish that.’
Mona Siddiqui
‘If you have a goal and if you’re prepared to work hard you can achieve whatever you want to achieve in this country’
Carlos Acosta
“There is a certain harmony in British society that I haven’t experienced anywhere else in the world”
Alina Ibragimova
“What’s incredible in this country is whatever you do, you know that it will be welcomed and respected”
Major Nana Twumasi-Ankrah
In modern and diverse Britain, “officers from many backgrounds all mix together as one”
Bonnie Greer
The playwright, novelist, social commentator and Deputy Chair at the British Museum says London is a 'hub city' for culture.
Kwame Kwei-Armah
"The UK is a country that is very comfortable in its own skin where the old and new can co-exist"
Reem Alasadi
“The boundaries are there to be broken - I probably wouldn’t have done this anywhere else but this country…in the UK, you just know you are free.”
Ching He Huang
“British people are so open to new ideas. Their reaction to Chinese food and cookery has been incredible. I could not have had a more warm and friendly reception on my travels in the UK”
Sebastien Noel, Conny Freyer and Eva Rucki
“The UK’s culture of innovation and clients’ willingness to take creative risks make it a great place to be as a designer,” says Conny Freyer, one third of UK based design studio Troika.
Camila Batmanghelidjh
“Every brick of charity ‘Kids Company’ has been built on the compassion of the British public”
Michel Taride
Speaking on the UK trade environment, the President of Hertz International says, "creativity mixed with the solid structure of tolerance and respect makes for a very good product"
Zeinab Badawi
The BBC World News anchor says "Freedom of expression, as we enjoy it the UK, is a real cornerstone of democracy"
Lucélia Taranto Rodrigues
'Sustainable' architecture specialist Lucélia Taranto Rodrigues says the UK is a vibrant, multicultural country that is pushing hard to make all new houses zero carbon by 2016
David Sabel
The National Theatre Head of Digital Media says UK support for the arts helps ensure as many people as possible can watch and access great theatre
Giovanna Tinetti
Italian Astrophysicist Giovanna Tinetti believes the UK creates the perfect environment for science and innovation to flourish.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE
The Paralympic champion believes 'the UK leads the way in showing what an inclusive world can look like'
Jonathan Mills
The Australian Director of the Edinburgh International Festival sees the UK as a “country with creative opportunities coming out of its ears”
Kosei Inoue
The Japanese Judo champion talks about his experiences in the UK and gives his impressions of the UK in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games.
