This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Festivals simply the best - First Minister
12/08/2003
Edinburgh's Festivals are simply the best programmes of
cultural events in the world, thanks to the tremendous
efforts of the organisers, said First Minister Jack
McConnell today.
He was speaking at a Bute House reception for organisers
and participants of Edinburgh's Festivals, where he thanked
them for their important contribution to the cultural and
economic life of Edinburgh and Scotland.
He said:
"There is nowhere in the world quite like Edinburgh in
August. Since 1947, when the founders of the International
Festival had the courage to believe that Scotland could be
home to the world's greatest celebration of arts, Edinburgh
has been the place to be in August.
"Every year the Festivals just get better and better,
and this year they look set to break the one million ticket
barrier. Last Sunday 200,000 people, many of them local,
delighted in the sunshine and fun of Fringe Sunday - and
the Tattoo sold out before the first performance.
"I have already enjoyed some of the best the Festivals
have to offer and I am looking forward to another two weeks
of exciting events. But none of this could happen without
the people who spend all year round organising the
Festivals. It is their dedication, their expertise, and
their passionate commitment that makes Scotland's capital
city the world's capital of culture every August. We owe
them a huge debt of gratitude."
The First Minister Jack McConnell hosted the reception
on Tuesday 12 August at Bute House to say thank you to
representatives of the Jazz and Blues Festival, the Film
Festival, the Book Festival, the International Festival,
Mela, the Tattoo, and the Edinburgh Fringe. Other invited
guests included the Rt Hon Lesley Hinds, Lord Provost of
Edinburgh, James Boyle, chairman of the Scottish Arts
Council and Dr Gordon Rintoul, director of the Museums of
Scotland.