A host of well-known faces will come together to take part in a Cultural Day in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket to celebrate a decade of the Scottish Government’s International Development work.
Cultural Day will, in particular, celebrate the cultural and people to people links between Scotland and Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia which underpin the Scottish Government’s international development work. Guest speakers will talk about their love of Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, whether that is through travel, cycling, books, wildlife or festivals.
Record-breaking long-distance cyclist and broadcaster Mark Beaumont will talk about his experiences in Africa whilst setting a new world record in May 2015 cycling from Cairo to Cape Town in only 42 days. Julie Davidson, author of “Looking for Mrs Livingstone”, will speak about the lives of early Scottish missionaries – from the perspective of the women involved in that work.
Record-breaking long-distance cyclist, Mark Beaumont, said:
“Over the past decade, travelling to some 125 countries, I have gained an insight into how Scotland is seen globally. Scotland is well liked, often loved, but to remain relevant and to show leadership in the future, as we have in our past, will rely on the ability to adapt fast, remain open and tolerant, and above all be truly ambitious.
“Cultural Day is a fantastic forum to share ideas, help shape Scottish Government thinking and be a part of Scotland’s future. I am very much looking forward to taking to the stage and reflecting on my recent journey down the length of the African continent, as well as last year’s journey around the Commonwealth nations and territories.”
The founders of two of Scotland’s best loved multicultural festivals, Lizelle Bisschoff and Foysol Choudhury, will share some of their “behind the scenes” experiences of the setting up and running of the Africa in Motion Film Festival and Edinburgh Mela.
The expected crowds will also be entertained by a range of African, Scottish and Asian music, through the day, and will be able to feast on a range of food from food stalls.
The ticketed event will give members of the public an opportunity to celebrate and learn more about the international development work the Scottish Government does in Malawi and our other priority countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, and our work on fair trade. The Scotland Malawi Partnership will be on hand to talk about the civil society links between Scotland and Malawi that they support, through churches, schools, universities, colleges and local authorities.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
