Public seats available for international culture summit

18.07.2012

How do the arts enrich peoples’ lives around the world and how do they help us understand each other in the Year of Creative Scotland and the Olympic Games? Members of the public are invited to hear answers to these questions and many more when the future of culture and the arts is debated at the Edinburgh International Culture Summit on 13 and 14 August. 10 pairs of tickets are available for each of the four public sessions, with applications due before 31 July.

Taking place at the Scottish Parliament, the Summit sees Culture ministers and leading commentators from more than 40 countries gathering to discuss why culture is important, explore its contribution to social and economic development and compare international approaches to promoting and supporting culture.

The Summit, the first event of its kind, is a collaboration between the Scottish Government, the UK Government, the British Council and the Edinburgh International Festival.

For each of the sessions taking place in the Debating Chamber, chaired by Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick MSP, ten pairs of tickets for the public gallery are available.

Monday 13 August

1430-1600: Welcome to the Scottish Parliament and the Summit.
Includes:
• Reading from Robert Burns’ ‘A Man’s A Man For A’ That’ by Scots Makar Liz Lochhead
• Performance of ‘Cantate Domino! Alleluia!’ (Cristi Cary Miller) by National Youth Choir of Scotland National Girls Choir
• Opening remarks by Scotland’s Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop and UK Culture Minister Ed Vaizey
• Speeches and debates exploring the role of the arts and culture in deepening and broadening our understanding of complex relationships between cultures and nations.

Tuesday 14 August

10.00-11.00: Speeches and debate on the topic of sustaining private and public support for culture.

14.15-15.15: Speeches and debate on skills for the future, for the creative industries and the role of technology

17.00-17.45: Closing remarks from Scotland’s Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop, UK Culture Minister Ed Vaizey, British Council chair Sir Vernon Ellis and Edinburgh International Festival director Jonathan Mills.

For more on the Culture Summit, please visit www.eics2012.com  or follow on twitter @CultureSummit.

Applying for tickets

Members of the public may apply for up to two tickets for each session by:

Writing to the Parliament at:
Edinburgh International Culture Summit
Visitor Services
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Emailing sp.bookings@scottish.parliament.uk.

 
Applicants must supply the following information for each person who wishes to attend.
• Title (Mr, Mrs, Ms, Miss, Dr, etc.)
• First name and any middle names
• Surname
• Previous names (if applicable)
• Address with postcode
• Telephone number
• Email address (if available)
• Date of birth
• Session(s) wish to attend: Monday 14.30; Tuesday 10.00; Tuesday 14.15; Tuesday 17.00. It is possible to apply for more than 1 session.

Ticket applications must reach the Parliament no later than Tuesday 31 July. Tickets will be allocated by a random draw. Successful applicants will be notified by Monday 6 August at the latest and will be given detailed instructions on the arrangements for the event. The Scottish Parliament reserves the right to carry out security checks on applicants.