Festivals given £3m in Government funding
The Expo Fund spending has increased from £1.7 million last year.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe will receive £670,000, while the Edinburgh International Book Festival will be given £200,000, the same amount as for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival.
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: 'Scotland's festivals are our cultural shopfront to the rest of the world.
'As well as offering performers and creatives an unrivalled international platform, they also deliver an annual economic uplift to businesses, jobs and livelihoods right across the country.
'This year's funding increase for the existing Expo festivals cohort represents an increase of £1 million across the 14 festivals in Glasgow and Edinburgh, the first in 10 years.
'It recognises the success of festivals in shaping and supporting hundreds of commissions, enhancing the ambitions of thousands of Scottish artists and attracting audiences in the millions for Expo-supported work since the fund's creation in 2007.
'From this foundation we will expand the reach of the Expo fund across the whole of Scotland, and I am working with festivals across the country through the strategic festivals partnership to realise this commitment.'
Dana MacLeod, executive director of arts, communities and inclusion at Creative Scotland, welcomed the funding, saying it will enable festivals to 'commission bold ideas, develop creative collaborations and present high-quality programmes for audiences in Scotland and internationally'.
Lori Anderson, director of Festivals Edinburgh, said: 'Today's announcement is welcome news for our festivals and for Scotland's cultural sector, ensuring that the guiding principle of the Scottish Government's Festivals Expo Fund – to showcase Scottish talent to the world on the country's premier festival platforms – continues to successfully support creative careers.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
34 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
‘I called him MacJota' – Liverpool's Andy Robertson pays heartfelt tribute to ‘most British foreign player' Diogo Jota
Robertson said he wanted to remember his "never-creasing smile" from his wedding day ANDY ROBERTSON has added his heartfelt tribute to the chorus of well wishes and mourning following the tragic death of Diogo Jota. Jota was killed in the early hours of Thursday in a traffic incident while driving through Zamora, Spain, in a Lamborghini when a tyre suddenly burst and sent the car veering off the road before catching fire. Advertisement 3 Andy Robertson has paid tribute to his buddy Diogo Jota Credit: Getty 3 Jota was killed in a tragic car crash alongside his younger brother, Andre Silva Credit: Reuters The 28-year-old died alongside his younger brother, Andre Silva, who played for Portuguese second-tier club Penafiel. Only 10 days earlier, Jota had gotten married to high school sweetheart Rute Cardoso, while the horrific news has also left three children without their father. Tributes for the late Portugal attacker have poured in from around the world, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Prince William, his club and manager Arne Slot. Team-mates past and present also sent their condolences to Jota's family and paid heartfelt tributes to Jota and Silva. Advertisement And now Scotland international and team-mate of five years, Robertson, has released his heartbroken homage to Jota. In a statement released on his Instagram page, the 31-year-old said: "The ones I'm thinking about most right now are the family. Their loss is too much to bear. I'm so sorry that they have lost two such precious souls – Diogo and Andre. "For the team and the Club, we'll try to cope with this together… however long that takes. For me, I want to talk about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I loved and will miss like crazy." The defender described his buddy as a "good guy" who was "normal and real", adding that he was "full of fun". Advertisement Robertson continued by explaining what they would do when hanging out together, including watching darts, going to horse racing and giving him the nickname "MacJota". He continued: "He was the most British foreign player I've ever met. We used to joke he was really Irish… I'd try to claim him as Scottish, obviously. I even called him Diogo MacJota. Portugal manager in tears as fans hold up Diogo Jota pictures during Women's Euro minute's silence for Liverpool "We'd watch the darts together, enjoy the horse racing. Going to Cheltenham this season was a highlight - one of the best we had." Robertson's statement opens up on the last time he saw his mate, his wedding day, where he had a "never-creasing smile". Advertisement He concluded: "The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day. "I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. How much he was bursting with love for his wife and family. I can't believe we're saying goodbye. It's too soon, and it hurts so much. But thank you for being in my life, mate – and for making it better. Love you, Diogo." Andy Robertson Diogo Jota tribute in full The ones I'm thinking about most right now are the family. Their loss is too much to bear. I'm so sorry that they have lost two such precious souls – Diogo and Andre. For the team and the Club, we'll try to cope with this together… however long that takes. For me, I want to talk about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I loved and will miss like crazy. I could talk about him as a player for hours, but none of that feels like it matters right now. It's the man. The person. He was such a good guy. The best. So genuine. Just normal and real. Full of love for the people he cared about. Full of fun. He was the most British foreign player I've ever met. We used to joke he was really Irish… I'd try to claim him as Scottish, obviously. I even called him Diogo MacJota. We'd watch the darts together, enjoy the horse racing. Going to Cheltenham this season was a highlight - one of the best we had. The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day. I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. How much he was bursting with love for his wife and family. I can't believe we're saying goodbye. It's too soon, and it hurts so much. But thank you for being in my life, mate – and for making it better. Love you, Diogo. 3
Edinburgh Reporter
43 minutes ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Val McDermid awarded honorary degree
Scottish author and broadcaster Val McDermid was awarded an honorary degree from University of Edinburgh today, as part of its summer graduation celebrations. Val McDermid, originally from Kirkcaldy, Fife, is one of the UK's most accomplished and respected novelists, an international number one bestselling author whose books have been translated into more than forty languages and sold over 19 million copies worldwide. Her multi-award-winning series and standalone novels have been adapted for TV and radio, most notably the Wire in the Blood series featuring clinical psychologist Dr Tony Hill and DCI Carol Jordan. Her 'Karen Pirie' novels have also been adapted for a major ITV series. Ms McDermid was created an honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of Edinburgh's School of Literature, Languages & Cultures during this afternoon's ceremony, following a laureation from the University's Director of Marketing and Communications, Theresa Merrick. Scottish crime author Val McDermid was awarded an honorary degree from University of Edinburgh today, as part of its summer graduation celebrations. Pictures Alan Simpson Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Unicorn-loving Harry seeks his fairytale happy ever after
A former stray dog who has been cared for at Dogs Trust West Calder for 17 months, and loves his unicorn toys, is searching for his fairytale happy ever after forever home. Free weekly newsletter Join our weekly YourWorld newsletter for updates, behind-the-scenes insights from our editors and your chance to shape what's next. Free weekly newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Staffordshire Bull Terrier Harry loves all things pink and is rarely seen without one of his beloved fluffy unicorn toys, having now amassed quite a collection. In Scotland, the unicorn is the national animal, a symbol of the Scottish monarchy, associated with purity, innocence, and power, so it is very apt that Harry cannot resist the allure of the unicorn, as he is a loving boy with a heart as soft as his favourite plushy companions. Playful Harry, who is 11 years old, is described by his many admirers at Dogs Trust as a happy, sweet-natured, charming boy who believes the world was made for cuddles, and therefore, seeks one from everyone he meets. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Zoe James, Assistant Manager Administration at Dogs Trust West Calder, said: 'Harry is a gorgeous boy who is very affectionate and loves human company, so he spends every day in the office, which is a real treat for us. Harry is rarely a few feet away from one of his beloved unicorns which he plays with, sleeps with, and shows off with great pride to everyone and anyone. Harry snoozing with his unicorn - Dogs Trust West Calder 'While in our care, he has spent time in a foster home where he received a glowing report from his foster carer. They said he was loving and affectionate, relaxed and well behaved in the home, was happy to be left for a few hours, and of course, he loved to play with soft toys. His other favourite things include cosy beds, human friends, chin and belly rubs, lying next to you on the sofa and cheese. Harry is a special boy who just wants to be loved and will give so much love in return, so we hope he meets a fellow unicorn-loving perfect match very soon.' Harry is known as a Dogs Trust "Underdog," a term used by the charity for dogs who have been waiting for their forever home for more than six months. These dogs often require additional training, ongoing veterinary care, or have specific rehoming needs, while others, like Harry, are simply overlooked. Harry needs to be the only pet in his new home. He could live with secondary school aged children and would like a garden where he can potter and play with his majestic soft toys. If your idea of happiness involves peace and quiet, sofa snuggles, and a sprinkle of magic, then Harry might be your pawfect match. To find out more about Harry and the other dogs in the care of Dogs Trust West Calder, visit
