Stars of screen, stage and television lined up to be ambassadors for the Festival City

Published on Friday 7 August 2009 22:32

FILM stars Brian Cox, Richard E Grant and Alan Cumming are among the stars who have been lined up to act as international ambassadors for the Edinburgh festivals.

Festivals Edinburgh – the umbrella body that represents all 12 of the major festivals – has recruited a number of well-known faces to speak about their love for the city.

Each of the stars has been filmed to celebrate the launch of edinburghfestivals.co.uk – the online television channel which celebrates the Festival City.

Cox says coming to an art exhibition in Edinburgh as a young man "transformed and defined his appreciation of art", and that walking down the Mound "still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up".

Cumming, who began his career as part of the comedy duo Victor and Barry, said "there's no other festival in the world that has such excitement, energy and intensity".

And actor Grant said the Edinburgh Fringe was his first port of call after moving from Swaziland, saying that it is "extraordinary – it's unique – I don't think there's any other festival like that".

Comedian Stephen K Amos, television presenters Kirsty Wark and Joan Bakewell, writers Christopher Brookmyre and AL Kennedy and choreographer Mira Kaushik have also contributed their own special memories of Edinburgh for the internet television channel, which has been designed as a shop window for the festivals that can be seen from around the world.

Faith Liddell, director of Festivals Edinburgh, said: "Having the support of such diverse, yet influential and celebrated friends is a tremendous privilege.

"We feel there is no better way to promote the unique and incredible experience of the Edinburgh Festivals than through the passionate and personal endorsements of the thinkers, actors and artists who have a very special association with Edinburgh."