Scottish Government

Reception for Scottish Fishing Industry Stakeholders

During the December EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead hosted a reception for Scottish fisheries industry stakeholders in Scotland House.

Exhibition: Energy: North Sea Portraits

On Monday evening the Minister for Europe, External Relations and Culture opened The 'Energy: North Sea portraits' exhibition by Fionna Carlisle, which was displayed in the European Parliament from 8 to 12 December. The exhibition was commissioned by the National Galleries of Scotland and was sponsored by Total through Arts and Business (Scotland). Alyn Smyth MEP sponsored its showing in the European Parliament.

St Andrew's Day Evening Reception Featuring the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama

The Sounds of Scotland resonated the jam-packed Conference Centre on the evening of the 26th November, at the Scottish Government's and Scotland Europa's jointly hosted cultural event of the week. Artists from the RSAMD were met with a very warm welcome and entertained the audience, a wide group of Brussels based Scots, Friends of Scotland and EU stakeholders, with a range of thrilling musical and dramatic performances.

Low Carbon Sustainable Energy Discussion and Reception

Panel discussion on low carbon sustainable energy and evening business reception hosted by Minister Jim Mather.

Celtic Connections Programme launch

The Celtic Connections consortium used the occasion of the European Week of Regions and Cities (6 - 9 October 2008) to launch its latest programme of cultural events planned for the upcoming months.

The aim of the programme is to demonstrate the breadth of traditional Celtic cultural activity in Europe with events showcasing the rich culture of a number of members of the consortium, including Scotland, Asturias, Norte, Wales and the Irish Regions.

The Scottish Government's EU Office has organised a number of events as part of the programme, information on which can be found in the flyer.

Presentation on the Scottish European Green Energy Centre

Energy officials from Glasgow and Brussels based staff held an event on Friday 26th September in Scotland House with the European Commission to discuss plans for the Scottish European Green Energy Centre. The event was also attended by partners and stakeholders covering both Scottish and European based organisations. Colin Imrie, Deputy Director Energy Markets, delivered a presentation setting out the aims and objectives of the centre which stimulated constructive and strategic discussion.

Exhibition: Portrait of the River Tweed

From mid Spetember to early December, the Scottish Government EU Office hosted "Portrait of th River Tweed", an exhibition by Ian Bavingston Jones in the Conference Centre at Scotland House

Seminar in Brussels: 'The Scottish Conservation Credits Scheme'

The Scottish Government Marine Directorate held a seminar in Brussels on The Scottish Conservation Credits Scheme, which was launched on 1 February 2008, giving the Scottish Government the flexibility to manage fishing effort allocations for Scottish Fishermen. The discussion provided the opportunity to draw on and share with a wide European audience the Scottish Government's vision for the future of sea fisheries in Scotland and across Europe.

For more information on Conservation Credits, please go to www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/fisheries/sea-fisheries

Reception and ceilidh during the European Seafood Exposition

The Scottish Government in conjunction with Seafood Scotland and SDI organised an evening reception and ceilidh during the annual European Seafood Exposition. Minister Michael Russell hosted the event with around 400 guests attending from the European Commission, Council and Parliament, Member State Perm Reps, EU Regional Offices and from the seafood / food and drink industry. The event fostered networking amongst key trade contacts and helped to raise Scotland's profile within Europe.

Policy event on Scotland's 'National Conversation'

A wide-ranging Brussels-based audience heard direct from First Minister Alex Salmond about Scotland's ambitions within Europe and they participated in a debate about Scotland's future role, responsibilities and representation in the EU. The FM's speech, the debate and the conclusions were recorded and fed back into the wider national conversation debate.

Scottish Writers' Series: Andrew O'Hagan at Scotland House

Scotland House hosted the finale of the Scottish Writers' series with Andrew O'Hagan on Friday lunchtime. The series began in November and has since then showcased a number of talented Scottish novelists and poets, such as Iain Banks and Raman Mundair. The programme has been a huge success on the European stage and has demonstrated the diversity and popularity of Scottish literature.

Sub Rosa event on territorial cohesion

The Scottish Government, in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and the Highlands & Islands Enterprise, hosted a sub rosa strategic discussion on territorial cohesion.

Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Mini Masterworks

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra gave a lunchtime performance including a performance of Shostakovich's String Quartet No 8, intertwined with a short talk by animateur, Paul Rissman. Masterworks is a an educational project designed to inspire thousands of young listeners by breaking down a piece of classical music, explaining musical concepts and giving an insight into how the music has been put together.

Scottish Writers' Series: Louise Welsh at Scotland House

As part of the on-going Scottish Writers' series Louise Welsh delivered a highly entertaining talk at lunchtime, with readings from her works including her latest novel 'The Bullet Trick'. Louise is the winner of the Robert Louis Stevenson Memorial Award 2003 and the 2004 Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Award.

Sub Rosa event on the future of EU Regional and Rural Policies

The Scottish Government, in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and the Highlands & Islands Enterprise, hosted a sub rosa strategic discussion on the future of EU Regional and Rural Policies.

Scottish Writers' Series: James Robertson at Scotland House

As a writer of highest quality James served as the Scottish Parliament's first Writer in Residence and is winner of two major Scottish literary prizes. james has also compiled a Scottish Dictionary of Quotations and is editor of an educational imprint devoted to Scots language. James gave a well attended, entertaining presentation.

Scottish Writers' Series: Raman Mundair at Scotland House

Raman Mundair contributed to our Scottish Writers' series with a well-attended lunchtime talk on 30 January, as well as a presentation to the British School of Brussels that morning.

Burns-Preseren Supper 2008

Minister for Europe, Linda Fabiani, co-hosted a Burns-Preseren Supper with the British Ambassador to Belgium, celebrating Burns' Night and in honour of Slovenia taking over the Presidency of the EU. The supper honoured the lives of Robert Burns and also France Preseren, the national poet of Slovenia who was a near contemporary of Burns. Guests, including the Slovenian Permanent Representation and MEPs, were treated to a full line up of entertainment including Scottish fiddle music, a piper and recitals of Burns and Preseren. Scottish writers Iain Banks and Raman Mundair gave the Toast to the Lassies and Reply for the Lassies respectively. The Scottish Parliament's Officer in Brussels, Dr Ian Duncan, delivered the Ode to the Haggis.

Seminar on culture's contribution to the Lisbon agenda for jobs and growth

Culture Minister Linda Fabiani opened a policy seminar in Scotland House which examined the role culture has to play in delivering the Lisbon agenda for jobs and growth. A lively debate was chaired by Scottish Government Director for Culture, with contributions from the European Commission, regional offices, cultural institutes and think tanks.

Scottish Writers' Series: Iain Banks at Scotland House

Author Iain Banks gave an interesting and humourous lunch time presentation at Scotland House. Minister for Europe, External Relations and Culture, Ms Linda Fabiani, was among the audience entertained by the author and used the occasion to launch a new guide to contemporary Scottish literature, commissioned by the Scottish Government as part of the Scottish Writers' Series.

Opening of exhibition Entrepreneurial Scotland: Portraits of Inspiration

Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture Linda Fabiani was at Scotland House for the official opening of "Entrepreneurial Scotland: Portraits of Inspiration" - a series of photographic portraits of high profile Scottish entrepreneurs taken by Ross Gillespie and Tricia Malley.

The exhibition which was also shown in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery last year.

Ms Fabiani said: " Portraits of Inspiration illustrates the diversity of skills, talents, beliefs and philosophies that Scotland produces and shows how Scottish entrepreneurs have played their part in making Scotland the confident, vibrant and modern nation it is today."

Concert 'Burns for a' that'

The Scottish Government celebrated Burns Night by hosting a special Burns concert. Burns expert Dr Fred Freeman introduced the audience to ballads and bawdy songs, patriotic and political anthems, interspersed with facts about Burns' life. Afterwards guests were treated to a traditional Burns Supper of haggis, neeps and tatties.