This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Cash to promote Burns' legacy worldwide
11/09/2005
Plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns' birth will receive major cash support to help promote the Bard's international image.
The Executive has awarded £100,000 over five years to the Robert Burns World Federation to improve communication with its 80,000 world-wide members.
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Patricia Ferguson said:
"The Federation will play a crucial role in the Executive's plans to highlight the Year of Homecoming 2009, which aims to use the 250th anniversary of Burns' birth to attract Scots home, and to increase the numbers of overseas visitors coming to Scotland.
"Building better links with Burns enthusiasts throughout the world will be an essential part of that process.
"We know that his appeal is truly worldwide. Few Scots, if any, are as revered on the international stage - from Siberia to South America.
"The Federation will also help to revive interest in Burns here in Scotland fostering a growing sense of pride in our rich cultural heritage, which Burns so often celebrated through his poetry.
"It is estimated that Burns is worth nearly £160 million to the Scottish economy.
"The Year of Homecoming has the potential to build on this impressive figure by bringing substantial numbers of overseas visitors to see the country which fashioned the man and his writings."
Allan Burns, Director of Diageo Scotland, was appointed in June as Chair of the Homecoming Steering Group. The steering group will organise events to celebrate Burns' contribution to Scottish cultural life, and develop plans to encourage Scots worldwide to return to Scotland in 2009.
Events and activities are planned to showcase the country on a world stage - create a cultural legacy for future generations and revive interest and pride in one of Scotland's most famous cultural icons.
Burns is believed to bring in nearly £160 million per year to the Scottish economy. Approximately 66 per cent of that comes from tourism with Ayrshire receiving the majority of the benefits.
The Robert Burns World Federation Ltd. has worldwide membership in excess of 80,000. It aims to promote education about Burns and Scottish Literature, history, art, music and language and to conserve buildings and places associated with Robert Burns and his contemporaries. The funding will help it raise its profile worldwide and play a major role in the Homecoming 2009 celebrations.