City to host global ‘culture summit’

The UK and Scottish governments are jointly hosting a two-day International Cultural Summit, which will coincide with the start of both the Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) and the Festival Fringe next summer.

It is hoped the event will underline Scotland’s claim to host the world’s leading festivals by raising the profile of major productions and shows, which delegates would be urged to attend while they are in Edinburgh.

There are also hopes of new cultural partnerships and tie-ups with other international events being triggered from the event, which the EIF is helping to organise.

Overseas culture ministers and organisations, arts industry leaders, artists and performers are expected to attend the summit, which will be held in the gap between the Olympics and the Paralympics which the festivals are hoping to capitalise on.

Scottish culture secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “In bringing together overseas ministers in Edinburgh, the summit offers an unprecedented opportunity to discuss the use and value of the arts, culture and the creative industries, and their role in encouraging dialogue among nations.

“It will allow culture ministers to share ideas and solutions to challenges we all face. It will also provide a fantastic showcase for Scotland’s rich creativity and culture against the backdrop of the Edinburgh festivals.”

UK culture minister Ed Vaizey said: “This exciting conference provides a wonderful opportunity for fellow culture ministers from around the world to come together and focus on the benefits of culture and the role it can play in improving dialogue.”

The British Council, which organises an annual showcase of artists and productions during the Fringe, is also involved in the summit.

Key issues to be tackled include sustaining private and public sector support for the arts, the role of new technology and the relationship between cultures and nations.

Organisers of the city’s flagship events, as well as umbrella group Festivals Edinburgh and tourism body VisitScotland, are trying to position the cultural extravaganzas as a world-class “counterpoint” to the Olympics and a “must-see” attraction for visitors to the UK next summer.

The EIF has already pledged to take full advantage of the fact it is due to start on 9 August, just three days before the Olympics will finish. It says the London Games and the Festival will provide visitors with a “heady intoxicating mixture”.

One of its centrepiece Olympics-inspired events, Speed of Light, will see hundreds of participants in a spectacular light-show run around Arthur’s Seat, while two major EIF productions will be included in a World Shakespeare Festival, part of the UK-wide Cultural Olympiad.

Jonathan Mills, director of the EIF, said: “This event offers an opportunity for international partners and policy-makers to observe at first hand the world-class platform offered to their artists and companies by Edinburgh’s festivals. It will also be an opportunity to forge new relationships.”