This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Year of Highland Culture 2007
11/08/2003
A National Concordat in support of the Year of Highland
Culture 2007 has been drawn up.
A task force including the Executive, Highland Council,
Highlands and Islands Enterprise and 20 other partners is
developing plans for events.
Tourism and Culture Minister Frank McAveety was in
Inverness today to sign the National Concordat on behalf of
the Executive.
He said that Scotland takes great pride in its
distinctive Highland culture, and it was vital that the
enthusiam and ideas which inspired the bid for European
City of Culture are taken forward on a platform attracting
international attention.
As well as flagship events which will attract visitors
and welcome back the Scottish diaspora, a range of agencies
is considering how to highlight the Highland theme within
their activities for 2007.
Mr McAveety continued:
"Scotland must get behind this major event. In 2007, we
want to see visitors from Scotland and beyond flocking to
take part in a celebration of the richness of Highland
culture.
"The Inverness/Highland bid for City of Culture was the
product of an innovative process which sought to boost
self-image, create a range of assets, build capacity and
achieve enduring cultural, social and economic
benefits.
"Now we look to the partners to this National Concordat
to bring their enthusiasm and energy to the task of
developing and delivering an excellent events programme of
which Scotland will be proud.
"For its part, the Executive is delighted to 'sign up'
and signal its strong support for the enterprise."
The framework plans for
2007 - Scotland's Year of Highland Culture
initiative were endorsed by the First Minister in March
2003 at the Convention of the Highlands and Islands.
Public and private sector bodies are being encouraged to
develop activities with a Highland theme as part of their
annual programmes for 2007. A special conference will take
place in Inverness on September 26.