The Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, will announce a new Brand Scotland partnership in a speech at Filmhouse later on Thursday with grants to promote the country overseas.
Mr Murray said ahead of his speech in Edinburgh: “Scotland’s excellent arts and culture sector opens doors right around the world. From the global stage of the Edinburgh Fringe to the pageantry of the Military Tattoo, our arts and creativity don’t just entertain – they build the relationships and showcase the innovation that drives real economic returns for communities across Scotland.
“Our partnership deal with the Edinburgh Fringe will help us sell Brand Scotland around the world, helping us deliver the economic growth that will put more money in people’s pockets.”
He is signing the deal with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe which he believes pays a key role in widening access to the arts.
Tony Lankester, Chief Executive, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “The Edinburgh Fringe is arguably one of the UK’s finest cultural exports and, in recognising that, this partnership gives us the opportunity to proudly put it at the heart of a global conversation. We’re proud of the artists and audiences who make the Fringe possible and who create this joyous celebration of creativity each year. Putting the Fringe at the centre of Brand Scotland recognises that work, and opens up a world of new platforms for participants.”
Mr Murray will say in his speech: ““For some, art and culture is a tool of power, of wealth. For others it is a tool of nation building, of defining who we are and who we are not.
“For me, it is something which transcends states and systems, and teaches us something about the human condition which other experiences simply cannot do.
“But that value, that treasure, that ability for our cultural pursuits to let us see into our souls and those around us is something we cannot take for granted.”
The Scottish Secretary will also announce the first round of successful bids from the overseas Brand Scotland fund, which is investing £250,000 this financial year to promote Scottish soft power, culture and trade opportunities worldwide. The new fund is supporting the Fringe’s international event today [7 August] at the Filmhouse.
Funding has also been signed off for initiatives including supporting an event in Berlin with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland which Mr Murray attended earlier this week, a ‘Travelling Museum of Whisky’ in Bolivia, a celebration of Scottish heritage and craftsmanship in Switzerland and St Andrew’s Day events to promote Scottish exports and cultural engagement.
The overseas Brand Scotland fund has already approved several cultural initiatives across the UK’s overseas network of more than 250 posts.
Two previous partnerships have already been announced with the Tattoo and with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce.
