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Scotland Week
14/03/2008
The First Minister today unveiled details on Scotland Week 2008 at the SCDI's 37th International Forum in St Andrews.
Outlining the Scottish Government's ambitious programme around Tartan Day 2008, Mr Salmond said the week would showcase Scotland's academic reputation, business expertise and cultural success on the world stage.
First Minister Alex Salmond said:
"Tartan Day is a fantastic opportunity for people throughout the US and Canada to celebrate their affinity with Scotland and the Scottish Government is delighted to continue to be part of the celebrations.
"We want to build on the success of Tartan Day with an expanded programme for Scotland Week 2008. Events are taking place in seven cities across North America which will highlight Scotland as a dynamic market with great investment potential, showcase Scotland's outstanding academic reputation and global cultural success.
"As part of our central purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth, the Scottish Government will be engaging with businesses around the US, demonstrating the investment and business opportunities that exist in Scotland. Enterprise Minister Jim Mather will be travelling to key cities, meeting with companies such as Microsoft and promoting Scotland's key industries and markets.
"The history and common values that we share with North America are strong. I look forward to addressing Harvard University's Center for European Studies and the University of Virginia to embrace these shared values, but also to demonstrate the real potential that exists for our two countries to work together on exciting, innovative projects in commerce, academia and culture.
"Scottish culture is right at the heart of Scotland Week. Following the acclaimed success of our National Theatre's Black Watch in the US and around the world, the Scottish Youth Theatre will take their performance "When A Star Falls" to New York. This is just one of the events that Culture Minister Linda Fabiani will attend to highlight the wealth of talent and creative vision that is synonymous with Scottish culture.
"The Homecoming message is an important one I look forward to sharing with our friends in the US and Canada - whether they have Scots ancestry or simply a passion for our country, 2009 will be an exceptional year to visit Scotland.
"All of this we are doing on a budget of £400,000 which is significantly reduced from last year. Scotland Week will be strategic, targeted and efficient in reaching audiences in the US and Canada showcasing the best of Scotland.
"The Tartan Day Parade on 6th Avenue is always a great focal point of the celebrations and I will be delighted to represent the Scottish Government.
"Scotland Week is not just about one week of events - it's about the relationships and interest that will grow throughout the year fostering real prosperity for Scotland."
Read what others are saying about Scotland Week 2008
The First Minister will lead Scotland Week activities in Boston, Washington and New York with Ministers active in a total of seven cities across the US and Canada.
Key elements of the First Minister's programme include:
BOSTON - March 31, 2008
- Opening of new SDI Office
- Speech at Harvard University's Center for European Studies in collaboration with Harvard Business School on 'Creating the Celtic Lion Economy'
VIRGINIA - April 1, 2008
- Speech on 'Scotland and America; lessons from the land of Jefferson' at the University of Virginia.
WASHINGTON, DC - April 2, 2008
- Meeting President of Inter American Development Bank
- Speech at National Geographic Society on 'Renewable Energy; innovations that can save our planet'.
- Tartan Day Reception with Friends of Scotland Congressional Caucus, Capitol Hill
- Hosting Tartan Day Congressional Dinner, Library of Congress
WASHINGTON, DC - April 3, 2008
- Presenting gift from Scotland to PGA Tournament Verizon Classic
NEW YORK - April 3, 2008
- Hosting SDI/VisitScotland - Business First Reception
NEW YORK - April 4, 2008
- Roundtable discussion on life sciences
- Business meetings with key financial services companies
NEW YORK - April 5, 2008
- Representing Scottish Government in Tartan Day Parade
Also travelling to North America for Scotland Week is the Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture Linda Fabiani who will attend a range of events promoting Scottish culture in New York, Washington and Toronto.
Ms Fabiani will start the fifth annual Scotland Run in Central Park, one of the biggest runs on the calendar for New York road runners. She will engage with the cultural sector and attend the closing night performance of Scottish Youth Theatre's "When a Star Falls" in New York. While in Toronto, Ms Fabiani will visit the Scottish Studies Program at Guelph University to hear about their work and the historical and cultural links between Scotland and Canada.
The Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism Jim Mather will travel to the states of Washington, California and Texas to host business events promoting Scottish enterprise and innovation. Mr Mather will meet with the Vice President of Microsoft in Seattle. He will engage with business leaders around the US through private meetings and targeted Scottish Development International business events. In Houston and Austin, Mr Mather will focus on the Oil and Gas industry developing links and promoting Aberdeen as a world leader in this sector.
The Scottish Government is looking beyond Scotland Week and working with the organisers of Dressed to Kilt and Scotland's colleges and design schools to enable young Scottish designers to take part. This will see talented students compete for sponsorship to travel to New York to showcase their work during New York fashion week in October (final date still to be confirmed).
VisitScotland's activities are an integral part of Scotland Week promoting tourism and profiling Scotland as a must-see, must-visit destination. Homecoming Scotland will be at the heart of all of VisitScotland's Scotland Week marketing and PR. There will also be a range of exciting events taking place such as live performances by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers to cookery demos with Scottish Chef of the Year 2007 Tom Kitchin. VisitScotland's core aim is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
As part of Scotland Week, Scottish Development International (SDI) are holding a series of business-facing events in Boston, Chicago, Houston, New York, Seattle and Toronto targeted at key business influencers and Globalscots. SDI, the Scottish Government's inward investment agency, was instrumental in bringing over £95 million pounds worth of investment to Scotland from North American based companies in 2006-2007.
Scotland Week begins on March 30, 2008 with events taking place in seven cities across North America.
In 1987, the legislature of Nova Scotia - followed by other Canadian provinces - proclaimed that Tartan Day should coincide with the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath. In 1998, the United States Senate issued a Tartan Day resolution commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath and the contribution of Scots-Americans.
The ministerial programmes are still being finalised and therefore additional events may be added.
The estimated budget for the Scottish Government's programme for Scotland Week 2008 is around £400,000, significantly less than the 2007 budget of around £700,000.
In line with the Scottish Government's work to develop Scotland as an internationally recognised brand name, the programme in 2008 will be called Scotland Week.