Capital opportunity to impress Unesco

Published on Wednesday 6 August 2008 22:16

THE man from Japan taking in the highlights of the Edinburgh Fringe later this month may look at first glance like any other tourist.

However, Koichiro Matsuura, the top man from Unesco, the United Nations cultural body, wields considerable power and every effort will be made to ensure he leaves with a favourable impression of the city.

The director-general will be making his first visit to Scotland a month after it was revealed that an investigation was taking place into whether Edinburgh should lose its Unesco World Heritage status. Although Mr Matsuura's visit is not linked directly to the decision-making process, key figures in Edinburgh will be keen to make sure he leaves impressed.

During his high-profile three-day visit, Mr Matsuura will see Edinburgh's cultural treasures for himself, at the height of the Fringe. After his arrival on Monday, 18 August, he will be whisked away for a private dinner with the culture minister, Linda Fabiani.

The following day Mr Matsuura will embark on a walking tour of Edinburgh, before having lunch at the Royal Society of Edinburgh and then catching a Fringe show.

On 20 August he will visit New Lanark and the Antonine Wall, which was recently granted World Heritage status.

Joanne Orr, chief executive of Museums Galleries Scotland, who will accompany Mr Matsuura, confirmed the visit would play no official part in deciding whether Edinburgh should retain its World Heritage status.

She said: "That's not something he will get involved with in particular. It's the fact that he hasn't been and it's very important for Scotland.

"I explained to him that Edinburgh transforms at this time of year. We are just showing him what we are doing.

"This is a chance to showcase some of the work we have been doing in Scotland for Unesco."

However, she said it was important that Mr Matsuura forms a favourable view of the city. "I would hope it will give a positive impression," she said.

Meanwhile, a separate Unesco mission will visit Edinburgh towards the end of this year to evaluate its status as a World Heritage Site.

An official inquiry was launched in July amid concerns about the potential impact of Caltongate, a massive development in the Old Town, which has won planning approval despite about 1,800 objections.

About three Unesco representatives are expected to visit the city at the end of this year, but the director-general is not due to be part of that trip.