Glasgow hits all right notes to become UNESCO 'world centre of music'

Published on Monday 18 August 2008 21:40

GLASGOW has succeeded in its bid to become an official Unesco City of Music, The Scotsman can reveal.

Kochiro Matsuura, the director-general of Unesco, the United Nation's cultural body, was expected to end months of nail-biting for music bodies and announce in Glasgow today the city is to be recognised as a "world centre of music".

Only two other European cities – Seville and Bologna – have been awarded the title, which is expected to boost tourism and business.

Mr Matsuura, who will visit the Edinburgh Fringe today during his first visit to Scotland, has spent months examining Glasgow's bid. A source close to the visit told The Scotsman last night: "It was going to take months, but he was really keen to announce it. He will be giving them the letter. It's quite amazing he will be there to do it."

In June, a high-profile delegation including Linda Fabiani, Scotland's culture minister, Robert Winter, Glasgow's Lord Provost, and Tom Thomson, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) chairman, flew to the Paris headquarters of the UN's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to submit a 50-page brochure outlining the official bid.

The bid also had the backing of Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, and the Scots violinist Nicola Benedetti.

The bid highlighted Glasgow's musical heritage, ranging from Celtic Connections to Lulu. Scotland's major orchestras are also based in the city, which has also nurtured rock bands such as Franz Ferdinand and the Fratellis.

On the day the bid was lodged, Ms Fabiani, an SNP MSP and a fan of traditional music, said: "Glasgow has a fantastic tradition of music. The Celtic Connections festival is huge." She also highlighted the classical traditions and music hall, which produced the likes of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band.

In its application, the Glasgow committee said that, in Scottish terms, the city is the "classical powerhouse", home to the RSNO, the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Scottish Opera, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra.

"In a typical week, an impressive 127 music events are presented in Glasgow, more than any other Scottish city," the dossier states, estimating the industry's worth at 74.6 million to Glasgow's economy and employing 2,922 people.

Mr Matsuura's itinery includes a walking tour of Edinburgh's Old and New towns, a Fringe performance by the Scottish Dance Theatre, a civic reception at Edinburgh City Council and a reception at Napier University for the launch of "Intangible Cultural Heritage in Scotland".