TOP artists gathered to celebrate the ­announcement of ­dozens of new ­cultural acts ahead of Glasgow 2014.

The big names behind some of the projects shared their ­excitement for the Commonwealth Games Cultural Programme, including Scots actor Tam Dean Burn and Glasgow Girls the Musical director Cora Bissett.

Organisers announced a further 42 new projects in the programme which now features 200 events and thousands of performers in hundreds of venues across Scotland.

The programme has been hailed as a showcase of the best Glasgow and Scotland has to offer.

David Grevemberg, chief ­executive of Glasgow 2014, said: "From dancers and discus throwers to gymnasts and ­jugglers and wrestlers and writers this celebration will be a merging of sport and culture that will dazzle, delight and live long in people's memories."

The cultural programme is made up of two parts - Culture 2014 and Festival 2014 - which will both feature works by world-leading and emerging Scottish and international artists. Culture 2014 is a national programme of work taking place throughout the year up until August 31.

Meanwhile, Festival 2014 will take place during Games Time in Glasgow and will feature the Classical Music Marathon led by star violinist Nicola Benedetti.

Glasgow actor and storyteller Tam Dean Burn will take to two wheels to travel the length of the country reading author Julia Donaldson's books to children.

Books on a Bike was inspired by his experience reading the stories in the Children's Wood on North Kelvin Meadow.

Tam said: "The programme is really letting Glasgow flourish - that motto couldn't be more true at this point.

"It will throw up all sorts of things we didn't even realise it could but, particularly for children and young folk, it is going to be a great inspiration."

Award-winning-actor and theatre director Cora Bissett has devised a special show about maverick Scots musician Martyn Bennett for the programme.

Debuting at Tramway, it will feature acrobatics, dancers, ­musicians and singers.

She said: "I am absolutely unbelievably excited. The funding that I have had has allowed me to create a project which is way beyond my ambitions.

"We have been encouraged to think big, think ambitiously and really go to town with your ideas. I hope it is jaw dropping."

Evening Times columnist and Glasgow MSP Humza Yousaf said the programme would be a "celebration like no other".

He said: "With numerous events taking place at the heart of Scotland's communities, I implore everyone to take the chance to be part of Scotland's moment to shine."

matty.sutton@eveningtimes.co.uk