The Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop today announced funding for Scotland’s Winter Festival Programme – kicking off on St Andrew’s Day, running through Christmas and Hogmanay and culminating in Burns Night – celebrating the country’s distinct culture, heritage and creativity.
Edinburgh events being supported by the funding will include:-
- Storytelling Centre – St Andrew’s Day – 30 Nov 2013 A celebration of Scottish culture with activities for children and adults. Children are invited to join Mrs Mash for the lively delivery of traditional Scottish tales, while Andy Cannon will tell the stories he has collected from his year-long trip around Scotland to discover the tales and traditions of a nation. The day will close with a musical celebration from the Greig Duncan Folk Song collection.
- Edinburgh’s St Andrews Day 2013 – 30 Nov 2013 As part of the city’s exciting new Edinburgh’s Christmas programme, St Andrew’s Day events will take place this year in the city’s Grassmarket. Live music, an open air ceilidh, food and drink and storytelling to wow little ones will make for a family friendly day-long celebration in the heart of the city.
- Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 30 Dec 2013 – 1 Jan 2014 Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is one of Scotland’s flagship festivals, attracting 80,000 revellers from Scotland and beyond to the street party alone. . This three day festival starts with the Torchlight Procession, followed by the world famous street party on the 31st of December and an eclectic programme of music and theatre taking place in venues around the old town on New Year’s Day.
- ‘Hogmanay in the Honest Toun’ – 31 Dec 2013 This Hogmanay programme in Musselburgh is designed for families with events through the daytime in the Brunton Theatre and town hall, Scottish themed entertainment including a family Ceilidh, drumming, storytelling and sing-alongs. The programme concludes in the early evening with a lantern procession and fireworks
- Scottish Storytelling Centre – 25 Jan 2014 A fun, family-friendly series of events that will promote Scotland’s rich history in a modern and unique manner.
Nineteen events will take place across Scotland including, for the first time, the Western Isles. From St Andrew’s Day on November 30 through to Burns Night on January 25, events will run from the Highlands to Dumfries and Galloway, from Stornoway to Stonehaven ranging from storytelling, singing and street acts to flings, fireworks and food. They will form an integral part of the wider celebrations taking place the length and breadth of the country throughout the winter months.
St Andrew’s Day celebrations kick off with a month-long food & drink festival in the town of St Andrews, as well as major celebrations that will take place for the first time in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, family friendly events in George Square in Glasgow and a packed programme of activity as part of The Saltire event in East Lothian. Across Scotland, existing and new choirs will also join to put Scotland on the map as a ‘singing nation’ as part of Scotland Sings, which takes place across various locations around the country.
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, said:
“St Andrew’s Day, Christmas, Hogmanay and Burns Night are important calendar dates for Scots and these events, together with wider activity, will give everyone the opportunity to celebrate Scotland’s rich heritage and distinctive culture.
“This vibrant winter events programme will bring people together to celebrate Scotland’s modern culture and traditions through the best of our nation’s music, arts, food and drink, innovation and entertainment.
“As a year round destination for visitors, Scotland welcomes over 15.3 million people every year. St Andrew’s Day, Christmas, Hogmanay and Burns Night are perfect for celebrating all things Scottish either with us here in Scotland or around the world.”
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