Eurostar, the high-speed passenger service which links the UK with the continent, today (30 April) announced the appointment of musician and arts aficionado Jarvis Cocker as its Cultural Ambassador for Culture Connect a unique partnership of 15 major museums and galleries in London, Paris and Brussels.

Culture Connect aims to encourage people to experience the wealth of art within some of the finest museums and galleries in the world.  Eurostar travellers have the exclusive deal of 2 for 1 entry to all paying exhibitions on the inbound journey, providing added value to visitors to each of the cities.

Over 105 million people have now travelled on Eurostar and the capitals have never been closer.  The daily influx of thousands of travellers directly to the heart of the cities - be they tourists, business people, those visiting friends and family or commuters has enriched the cities both culturally and economically. 

Of his new appointment, Jarvis Cocker said:

“Spending time in another country definitely broadens your horizons and enriches your life.  It seems to me that more and more people are taking advantage of the ease of travel between the cities to immerse themselves in another culture.”

“As Ambassador for Culture Connect I’m encouraging everyone to get on a train and explore the culture of another country. TV, films and the internet may be great at showing you what something looks like but they’re no substitute for seeing works of art with your own eyes.

Eurostar’s Director of Communications, Mary Walsh commented:

“This initiative is designed to encourage people of all ages to visit these iconic museums and galleries.  With his passion for music and art, Jarvis makes the perfect Cultural Ambassador.  Going back and forth between London and Paris as he does, Jarvis knows better than anyone the enjoyment to be had from getting to know the museums and galleries of another city.

How does Culture Connect work?

Passengers travelling on Eurostar are entitled to 2 tickets for the price of 1 for entry into paying exhibitions in the Culture Connect range of museums and galleries.

The offer applies to the inbound destination city and is available for up to five days after the traveller’s arrival at their destination, and only one person needs to have a Eurostar ticket to qualify for 2 for 1 entry.

Museums and Galleries involved

London

The National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Paris

Le musée du quai Branly, le Jeu de Paume, le Musée d’Art moderne de la Ville de Paris, la Cité de la musique, and les Galeries nationales du Grand Palais.

Brussels

Bozar, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium (including the Museum of Ancient Art and the Museum of Modern Art) and the Musical Instrument Museum.

Jarvis Cocker

Jarvis Cocker is probably best known as the frontman of the highly successful band ‘Pulp’ which came to the forefront of the Britpop movement in the mid-1990s.The band’s albums include the acclaimed ‘His ‘n’ Hers’, ‘Different Class’ and ‘This is Hardcore’.

A man of many talents, as well as a solo music career, Jarvis is well known for his other endeavours in the art and broadcasting world and currently presents a weekly slot on BBC radio station 6 Music.

New onboard magazine
To coincide with the launch of Culture Connect, Jarvis Cocker features on the cover of Eurostar’s brand new onboard magazine ‘Metropolitan’.

A lifestyle publication, it will cover all aspects of Eurostar’s destinations, with occasional guest editors, well-known columnists and expert writers.

‘Metropolitan’ will be distributed on the train from Friday 30 April. View an e-magazine version of ‘Metropolitan’ by clicking on the link below:

Metropolitan e-magazine version