14.08.2012
Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick MSP has hailed the success of the first Edinburgh International Culture Summit.
She said: “The inspiring, entertaining and, at times, moving sessions of this Summit have demonstrated all too clearly why culture is so important, especially in these difficult times.
"Many delegates have reflected to me that Edinburgh has felt a natural home for these cultural reflections, given the backdrop of the city’s Festivals.
"It has been a delight to welcome so many nations from across the world to our Scottish Parliament and share our Chamber for these significant discussions.”
Background
The summit took take place at the Scottish Parliament on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 August and debated the power of culture in forging and fostering international relationships and dialogue between nations.
The Summit was a collaboration between the Scottish Government, the UK Government, the Edinburgh International Festival and the British Council.
The conference theme was 'Culture as an International Dialogue'. The programme was devised around three strategic strands:
- the role of the arts and culture in deepening and broadening our understanding of the complex relationships between cultures and nations
- sustaining private and public support for culture
- future skills for the creative industries and the role of technology.