Chamber
Plenary, 18 Jun 2009
18 Jun 2009 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Scotland's Festivals
I am as optimistic as the minister about this year's festivals, particularly the fringe, which is often a victim of its own success. We will see wonderful performances this year. I am optimistic about what we will experience this summer in Edinburgh.
As Edinburgh's festivals have highlighted to members, Scotland's best prospects for economic growth are in the areas where we offer a distinctive product. The experience of Edinburgh's festivals is nothing if not distinctive. They are iconic and recognised internationally as such—they are a huge attraction to people beyond Scotland and the United Kingdom. A worldwide audience of 100 million people watched the tattoo on television last year. Karen Gillon was absolutely right to highlight its importance.
Rob Gibson also rightly spoke of the need to extend media and TV coverage to more of our festivals in Scotland. They contribute a great deal, not only to our economy but to our culture. Supporting our capital city and country's cultural endeavours and recognising their contribution is vital, given that culture touches so many areas of people's lives and our country's policies.
I share some of the concerns about funding. Obviously, this is a difficult time. As the 2006 "Thundering Hooves" report made clear, Edinburgh cannot rest on its laurels. The report suggested that we look at cities such as Manchester, Liverpool or Dubai, which are following Edinburgh's example. We must try to ensure that the city and its events keep up with the times. Edinburgh must remain at the forefront in terms of world festivals and tourist destinations.
These are difficult times. In the past, Edinburgh's festivals have relied strongly on the financial sector. They have attracted important sponsorship from the Bank of Scotland, the Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Life. I thank those companies for the support that they have given. I also welcome the injection of support from the Scottish Government through the expo fund and in other ways. I was pleased to hear the minister confirm his strong and constant future support for the festivals.
Edinburgh's festivals have changed on the back of the "Thundering Hooves" report and in other ways. I am confident that this homecoming year will be another huge success for them. I am confident of that because of the collaboration between and hard work of the groups, organisations and agencies that are involved.
I am sure that many people from our own shores and within the United Kingdom who choose to holiday in Edinburgh will be delighted to discover the range of events and attractions that the city has to offer. They will find a colourful, exciting and diverse set of experiences and a friendly welcome in a unique city. As Christopher Harvie reminded the chamber, visitors will also find a city with exactly the same ethos that inspired the first Edinburgh international festival back in 1947, which is that our festivals are, and will always be, a platform for the flowering of the human spirit.
As Edinburgh's festivals have highlighted to members, Scotland's best prospects for economic growth are in the areas where we offer a distinctive product. The experience of Edinburgh's festivals is nothing if not distinctive. They are iconic and recognised internationally as such—they are a huge attraction to people beyond Scotland and the United Kingdom. A worldwide audience of 100 million people watched the tattoo on television last year. Karen Gillon was absolutely right to highlight its importance.
Rob Gibson also rightly spoke of the need to extend media and TV coverage to more of our festivals in Scotland. They contribute a great deal, not only to our economy but to our culture. Supporting our capital city and country's cultural endeavours and recognising their contribution is vital, given that culture touches so many areas of people's lives and our country's policies.
I share some of the concerns about funding. Obviously, this is a difficult time. As the 2006 "Thundering Hooves" report made clear, Edinburgh cannot rest on its laurels. The report suggested that we look at cities such as Manchester, Liverpool or Dubai, which are following Edinburgh's example. We must try to ensure that the city and its events keep up with the times. Edinburgh must remain at the forefront in terms of world festivals and tourist destinations.
These are difficult times. In the past, Edinburgh's festivals have relied strongly on the financial sector. They have attracted important sponsorship from the Bank of Scotland, the Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Life. I thank those companies for the support that they have given. I also welcome the injection of support from the Scottish Government through the expo fund and in other ways. I was pleased to hear the minister confirm his strong and constant future support for the festivals.
Edinburgh's festivals have changed on the back of the "Thundering Hooves" report and in other ways. I am confident that this homecoming year will be another huge success for them. I am confident of that because of the collaboration between and hard work of the groups, organisations and agencies that are involved.
I am sure that many people from our own shores and within the United Kingdom who choose to holiday in Edinburgh will be delighted to discover the range of events and attractions that the city has to offer. They will find a colourful, exciting and diverse set of experiences and a friendly welcome in a unique city. As Christopher Harvie reminded the chamber, visitors will also find a city with exactly the same ethos that inspired the first Edinburgh international festival back in 1947, which is that our festivals are, and will always be, a platform for the flowering of the human spirit.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan):
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S3M-4421, in the name of Michael Russell, on the energy, commitment and creativity of Scotland's festivals an...
The Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution (Michael Russell):
SNP
I apologise for arriving in the chamber just seconds too late to be able to follow on—in cricketing parlance.I am pleased to speak about the success of the E...
David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab):
Lab
I am astonished to learn of Mr Russell's debut. Will he tell us what he contributed? What song did he sing?
Michael Russell:
SNP
Of course, I am a modest person and do not wish to talk too much about my own performances—Interruption. There is a strange sound of laughter to my right, fr...
David Whitton:
Lab
That is because you described yourself as modest.
Michael Russell:
SNP
Well, it is a definition that I recognise, even if no one else does. I appeared in a work called "The Flight of the Arctic Tern", by a composer called Mark S...
Ted Brocklebank (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
I am grateful that the minister reminded us of how many people attended the launch of Sir Sean's book. Can he tell us how many copies of the book Sir Sean sold?
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
Mr Russell, I think we may now be straying from the point of the debate.
Michael Russell:
SNP
Well, that is a great pity. I will simply say that the book was, as befits a Scot of international celebration and reputation, a wonderful seller.The fact th...
Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab):
Lab
The vision of Mike Russell and modesty is not one that easily comes to mind, but I look forward to buying tickets to his forthcoming show. It will be an inte...
Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD):
LD
I thought the member was going to say "Mike Russell".
Karen Gillon:
Lab
Well, there is always a chance.Seriously though, T in the Park compares favourably with any festival in the world. It should be celebrated. Last year, virtua...
Ted Brocklebank (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
I was tempted to restrict my speech to the observation that festivals are generally good things, especially those that are held close to my home or those to ...
Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD):
LD
Inevitably, the motion concentrates on the iconic Edinburgh festivals, and probably rightly so, as they are known throughout the world in a way that others a...
Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
What does it cost to enter these events?
Iain Smith:
LD
I do not have the price list in front of me. What is great about community festivals is that entry to many of the events is free, so that people can particip...
Alasdair Allan (Western Isles) (SNP):
SNP
Aside from the Edinburgh festival, I am sure that there will be healthy competition among us all today to get in the most references to the local festivals i...
Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab):
Lab
The major festivals such as the Edinburgh international festival, T in the Park, Celtic Connections, the St Magnus festival and so on are all hugely importan...
Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP):
SNP
Our opportunity to debate festivals and their success in Scotland is a valuable contribution as we look towards the future, celebrating place and aspects of ...
Shirley-Anne Somerville (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
Edinburgh without festivals is simply unimaginable. Our capital city is the world's foremost festival city; it provides a beautiful historic backdrop for an ...
Christopher Harvie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP):
SNP
I would like to join my colleagues in celebrating Scotland's festival cultures. I am slightly older than the Edinburgh festival and I can still remember its ...
Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD):
LD
I thank the minister for his optimistic contribution, if only for a highly unusual show of modesty—that leaves only 999 things to do before I die. He was abs...
Michael Russell:
SNP
I draw the member's attention to the fact that although this year's fringe tickets went on general sale only on Monday, the fringe has sold £500,000 worth of...
Margaret Smith:
LD
I am as optimistic as the minister about this year's festivals, particularly the fringe, which is often a victim of its own success. We will see wonderful pe...
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
I am sure that ticket sales are up because the minister is performing in the festival.I am pleased to be winding up for the Scottish Conservatives in this sh...
David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab):
Lab
Like the other members who have spoken, I am delighted to participate in the debate and take the opportunity to talk about a couple of festivals that take pl...
Michael Russell:
SNP
It has been a good-natured and informative debate, although it has included some odd moments, to which I will refer, in passing, as I sum up. Before I do so,...
Karen Gillon:
Lab
Will the minister undertake to meet some of the industry organisers in Scotland to look at how we can make the lighting, staging and public address systems t...
Michael Russell:
SNP
I would be happy to do so. I note the concerns that various social enterprise organisations have expressed on the matter—procurement is an issue. Last night ...
George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab):
Lab
Has the minister been contacted by Mr Ian McFarlane asking why no Burns productions are included in the Edinburgh international festival? If so, what reply d...