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Scotland in focus at French festival
17/07/2007
One of the most important Celtic festivals in the world has deemed 2007 "The Year of Scotland".
The 37th Festival Interceltique in Lorient, Brittany is expected to attract over 700,000 visitors from around the world to experience the best of Scottish culture. Visitors will be provided with a real taste of Scotland through music, dance, food and drink at the Scottish Pavilion which will be a focal point of the Festival.
Ahead of her visit to the Festival in August, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture Linda Fabiani said:
"I am thrilled to support The Year of Scotland at Lorient 2007 - it is a wonderful celebration of our thriving cultural scene.
"Scotland has strong links with Brittany - we are proud of our ancient and common Celtic heritage, which continues to flourish and provide entertainment and enjoyment to many.
"I look forward to visiting the Festival this summer to strengthen and deepen our Celtic bonds still further. This year's programme is a reflection of Scotland's rich cultural identity and I hope it will encourage people to come and experience Scotland for themselves."
The Scottish Executive has supported The Year of Scotland with #286,000 to showcase Scottish culture to a Breton, French and international audience through various Scottish acts, exhibitions and cuisine.
VisitScotland has also contributed to the Festival and has worked with the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society to choreograph a new Scottish country dance which will be performed for the first time at Lorient 2007.
VisitScotland's Chief Executive Philip Riddle said:
"This is a great opportunity to demonstrate Scotland's fantastic cultural heritage to hundreds of thousands of potential visitors in one of our key international markets and complements our existing European marketing and PR campaigns. French visitors spend more than £40 million in Scotland annually.
"Scotland's known around the world as a nation of music and dance lovers and the great thing about Scottish country dancing is that anyone can have a go.
"The new dance will demonstrate this to around 700,000 music lovers at the Interceltique Festival and get them hot stepping it to Scotland to try it out for themselves."
Scottish acts and organisations appearing at this year's festival:
- The Unusual Suspects, a 22 piece Celtic band which consists of some of Scotland's most recognised Celtic artists, will be in residence at the Scottish Pavilion through out the festival. They will also play at the opening night Gala event on 4th August where they will perform for the first time a piece commissioned by the Scottish Arts Council. The Unusual Suspects - The Unusual Suspects is compiled by members of Blazin'Fiddles, Salsa Celtica, Battlefield Band, Shooglenifty, Peatbog Fairies and Deaf Shepherd
- Scottish film will be represented at the festival through a screening of "The Island Tapes". The Tapes are archive films featuring life on Scotland's more remote islands during the 1920s and 1930s, accompanied by original live music composed by guitarist David Allison
- An exhibition of photography will present 'Unusual images of Scotland now'. The images are captured by some of Scotland's best known photographers - Tina Norris, Chris Close, Euan Myles, Paul Dodds, broad daylight, Robert Pogson and Gerry McCann
- Whisky partners for the event are Ian Macleod Distillers who will be offering, amongst other brands, their flagship malt whisky, Glengoyne. Additionally they have created a special cocktail for the event, the 'Lorient Fume'. This is a combination of Smokehead whisky, pear and apple cider. Ian Macleod Distillers - Ian Macleod Distillers are one of the largest and most widely respected independent family companies within the spirits industry
- Scottish Salmon will be presenting their acclaimed Label Rouge salmon and Quality Meat Scotland is also showcasing Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb
- 21st Century Kilts will also be represented in the Scottish Pavilion.
The Interceltique Festival runs from August 3 to 12 in Lorient, France and showcases all forms of music and culture of Celtic origin.
The Scottish Executive has provided £286,000 to support the Year of Scotland at Lorient 2007.
The Scottish Pavilion is a temporary structure that will serve to showcase Scottish culture via cuisine, music, fashion, golf and a fun kids zone.
VisitScotland - is Scotland's national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.