This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Tuscan treasures revealed
15/07/2004
A prestigious exhibition of works from Tuscany has been
officially welcomed to Edinburgh today.
Culture Minister Frank McAveety said that Scotland
attracts and provides some of the most exciting and diverse
arts and cultural experiences available in the world.
Treasures from Tuscany: The Etruscan
Legacy is a high point in the 2004 programme
celebrating the Executive's Co-operation Agreement with
Tuscany and Edinburgh and Florence's 40th anniversary as
twinned cities.
This is the only UK showing of this major loan
exhibition - the highlight of the National Museums of
Scotland's substantial and varied programme of exhibitions
and events taking place throughout the year across
Scotland.
The Culture Minister said:
"I am delighted that this magnificent collection of
artefacts is coming to Scotland. It is a highly prestigious
event in our cultural calendar.
"The exhibition will provide a unique opportunity for
the people of Scotland to view objects from collections of
Etruscan artefacts from all over Tuscany, as well as
objects from the British Museum and from the National
Museums of Scotland's collections.
"Tourists from all over the world are coming here this
summer to enjoy and celebrate our cultural heritage. This
world-class exhibition adds to what will be an explosion of
cultural activity.
"It is particularly important to me that we present a
welcoming face to all our visitors, and I hope that our
international guests find us warm and genial hosts.
"I have been encouraged by the teamwork and
collaboration, between many organisations here in Scotland,
in the UK and throughout Tuscany. This is exactly what we
had in mind when we signed the Co-operation
Agreement."
Treasures from Tuscany is a major touring
exhibition which comes to Edinburgh from showings in the
US, China and Russia. It includes well over 400 objects
from one of the most advanced civilisations before the
Roman Empire, including a fine selection of gold and bronze
pieces.
In November 2002 the First Minister, Jack McConnell and
the President of the Regional Government of Tuscany,
Claudio Martini signed a Co-operation Agreement.
The Executive's Co-operation Agreement with the Region
of Tuscany promotes economic development and tourism;
cultural exchange; and cultural education and
creativity.
Culture featured strongly in the Agreement, and one of
the stated aims was to "promote through our cultural
agencies, opportunities for exchanging exhibitions".
Another was the "identification of opportunities for the
exchange of skills, knowledge and expertise between
cultural practitioners".