David Zolkwer

Zolkwer speaking at a press conference the day after the opening ceremony of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

David Zolkwer (left) speaking at a press conference ahead of the Georgia 2015 European Youth Olympic Festival. David Zolkwer (born in Manchester in April 1963) is a producer and director of international public events and ceremonies. He has helped in the direction of various ceremonies including the Hong Kong Handover and the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Commonwealth Games and 2004 Olympic Games.

Public events, theatre, ceremonies and celebrations

Hong Kong Handover & Millennium Dome In 1997, he was both Project Director and Creative Director for the Hong Kong Handover Ceremony.

Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games In 2002, Zolkwer was Project Director and Artistic Director for the ceremonies of the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games.

He directed the Opening Ceremony - attended by Her Majesty the Queen in her Golden Jubilee year. The show combined music, threatre, large-scale spectacle and elements of Manchester's cultural identity.

Athens 2004 Olympic Games In 2004, Zolkwer was one of the lead Creative Directors and overall Project Director for the ceremonies of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. He was the only non-Greek member of the core creative team led by Dimitris Papaioanou. The opening ceremony is regarded as technologically innovative.

Between 2007 and 2008, Zolkwer served as Creative Consultant and led a small team from Jack Morton Worldwide providing technical, production and operations consultancy to the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games for the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing and famed film director and Olympics Artistic Director Zhang Yimou who he also supported during the extended creative bid process for the Beijing Ceremonies.

The Courier-Mail said, "The Gold Coast finally welcomed the world to its biggest ever party with a dazzling Commonwealth Games opening ceremony". The New Daily said the opening ceremony had "wowed" the fans on the Gold Coast. The West Australiansaid that the "Spirits gone high" in the Gold Coast after the opening ceremony. The SBS called the ceremony as "dazzling" and the ABC said that the opening ceremony had "signalled a great start for the 2018 Commonwealth Games".

Reaction was overwhelmingly positive. The BBC said the 2018 Commonwealth Games started with a "colourful" and "spectacular" opening ceremony. The London Evening Standard said the Games began with a "spectacular opening ceremony paying tribute to region's Aboriginal history." The Daily Telegraph reported "Gold Coast Commonwealth Games began with every symbol of Australiana".

The Firstpost said, "Opening ceremony of Commonwealth Games 2018 celebrates indigenous culture, beaches and diversity". The Times of India commented, "What a spectacular welcome Gold Coast has given to the participating teams!". The Hindu said "...the opening ceremony of the XXI Commonwealth Games on Wednesday night was painted with colour and gaiety....". They also commented "The pageant showcased the Australian tradition and culture in all its glory". The Courier Mail declared the ceremony as a celebration of "the Gold Coast's coming of age".