Edinburgh International Culture Summit gets underway
The Culture Summit is a collaboration between the Scottish Government, UK Government, British Council and Edinburgh International Festival, hosted at the Scottish Parliament. It is a unique opportunity to gather Culture Ministers with prominent artists, thinkers and others responsible for formulating and implementing cultural policy to discuss how the arts enrich the lives of people around the world and contribute to the wellbeing of nations.
Some of the world’s major economic powerhouses – including Brazil, Japan, Russia and the USA – are expected at the two-day Summit, which will feature plenary sessions in the Parliament’s Debating Chamber streamed live over the Internet, as well as policy discussions between countries.
They will be joined by delegates from developing nations, including Malawi, Bangladesh, Tanzania and Zambia.
The concept that culture is a bridge that promotes dialogue amongst nations, irrespective of other external events, lies at the heart of the Summit.
Countries with current or recent experiences of conflict – including Iraq and Northern Ireland – will take part in debates on how culture can act as a bridge between divided communities and assist in reconciliation.
Delegations are also expected from the European Commission, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Guernsey, Ireland, Jersey, Jordan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Uganda and Wales.
The Summit will be opened this afternoon by the Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick MSP, with welcoming remarks from Scotland’s Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop MSP and UK Culture Minister Ed Vaizey MP.
Scotland’s Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:
“In the Year of Creative Scotland, we are honoured to welcome Government Ministers from around the world to the first-ever International Culture Summit held during the biggest and greatest arts festivals in the world in Edinburgh.
“At a time when so many nations are striving to secure a peaceful existence and equal human rights for their citizens, culture is able to translate these ideas into a common language that transcends societal differences.
“As a meeting of nations, this Culture Summit illustrates how Scotland cherishes and nurtures these ideals, showing that principle and human values lie at the heart of our constitutional journey.
“Culture and the arts are also powerful tools in building long-term relationships and trust between nations. This Summit celebrates and enhances Scotland’s credentials as a responsible global citizen.
“That is why I am delighted that so many Culture Ministers, artists, thinkers and policymakers have come to Edinburgh, to discuss and explore how the arts can transform and enrich the lives of people around the world and contribute to peace and the wellbeing of nations."
UK Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said:
"The Olympics and the London 2012 Festival have been fantastic celebrations of UK culture, and clearly illustrated the role that the arts can play in bringing nations closer together.
“I am therefore delighted that so many nations will be represented at this, the first ever International Culture Summit, and look forward to the discussions that will follow."
Culture Summit Programme
Monday, 13th August
- Welcome to Scottish Parliament and Culture Summit. Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick MSP opens the Summit. Scots Makar Liz Lochhead reads Robert Burns’ poem ‘A Man’s A Man For A’ That’. Welcome speeches from Scotland’s Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop MSP and UK Government Culture Minister Ed Vaizey MP. National Youth Choir of Scotland National Girls Choir perform ‘Cantate Domino! Alleluia!’ by Cristi Cary Miller.
- Plenary in Debating Chamber. Theme: the role of the arts and culture in deepening and broadening our understanding of complex relationships between cultures and nations. Speaker: Androulla Vassiliou; Artist Voices: Amir Nizar Zuabi and Haris Pašović.
Tuesday, 15th August
- Plenary in Debating Chamber. Theme: sustaining private and public support for culture. Speakers: Harold Mitchell and HE Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo.
- Plenary in the Debating Chamber. Theme: skills for the future, for the creative industries and the role of technology. Speakers: Jasleen Dhamija, Ian Livingstone, Professor Moshe Kam and Richard Harper.
- Closing remarks in Debating Chamber from British Council chair Sir Vernon Ellis and Edinburgh International Festival director Jonathan Mills.
For more information on the Edinburgh International Culture Summit