This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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£100,000 for new Burns Festival
23/01/2002
A new national festival celebrating the life and works
of Robert Burns has received £100,000 of funding.
The Burns Festival will open at Culzean Castle, Ayrshire
this May beginning with a concert and firework display.
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Elaine
Murray said:
"Scotland benefits greatly from its cultural history -
Burns is one of Scotland's great cultural icons. His work
is well known and loved around the world, with themes
striking a chord with people of all walks of life.
"It is therefore fitting that Burns is placed at the
heart of the Scottish Executive's tourism strategy. This
new national festival provides a unique opportunity to
promote the life and works of Robert Burns drawing people
to his homeland."
The Scottish Executive has provided funding of £100,000
per year over three years towards the Ayrshire
Festival.
The festival is being developed by Peter Irvine from
Unique Events, the company behind Edinburgh Hogmanay.
Former Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture,
Allan Wilson, pledged Executive support to promoting Burns'
life and works while at the International Burns Federations
Annual Conference last year.