Jimmy Deenihan TD Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht will today (Sunday 12th August, 2012) travel to the Edinburgh International Culture Summit. The Minister will spend Sunday to Tuesday participating in a series of meetings and attending some of the performances by Irish artists at Edinburgh. Minister Deenihan in Edinburgh will also lead the Culture Ireland annual delegations of artists to the Edinburgh Festivals.
Following a performance by the Gate Theatre Company of Watt by Samuel Beckett, Minister Deenihan will meet with Jonathan Mills Director Edinburgh, International Festival, along with members of the Gate Company including its Director Michael Colgan and the renowned actor Barry McGovern.
On Monday, Minister Deenihan will attend St. Andrew's House, where he will participate in a Bi-Lateral meeting with his Scottish counterpart Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop MSP. This will be followed by Culture Ireland's Networking event at the Consulate General.
The Minister intends availing of the opportunity in Edinburgh to liaise with visiting Cultural Ministers and key players as part of the preparatory work for Ireland's forthcoming EU Presidency.
Speaking in advance of travelling Minister Deenihan said:
"A spotlight will be on Ireland coming up to and during the Presidency, we in Government are committed to delivering a Presidency which is efficient, effective, and delivers for the future of the whole European Union. I intend to encourage those whom I meet in Edinburgh over the next few days to commit to participating fully in events leading up to and during our forthcoming EU Presidency."
The Edinburgh International Culture Summit will focus on the role of the arts and culture in deepening and broadening the understanding of complex relationships between Culture and nations.
Minister Deenihan added:
"At a time when other elements of Ireland's international reputation and success have been challenged in recent years, Irish culture has come into focus as one of our most important national assets and has assisted us in rebuilding brand Ireland"
This year Culture Ireland's 2012 Edinburgh showcase includes:
· Four dance shows at Dance Base, Scotland's most important professional dance venue and resource organisation. Culture Ireland has been presenting a dance showcase here since 2008 and the programme includes work by Luke Murphy, Liz Roche Company, ponydance and Siamsa Tire.
· Three theatre productions including Gulliver's Travels After Jonathan Swift at King's Theatre, Watt by Samuel Beckett performed by the Gate Company and The Rape of Lucrece by William Shakespeare performed by Camille O'Sullivan.
· Fifteen writers will read at this year's Edinburgh International Book Festival. This is the third year that Culture Ireland has presented a showcase of Irish authors at the writers Festival.
· Jack L's wonderful new show 27 Club which reinterprets the work of iconic artists such as Janis Joplin, The Doors, Robert Johnson, Rolling Stones, Echo and the Bunnymen, Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana
· This is What We Do for a Living, performed by Tumble Circus, winner of Best Circus and Physical Theatre Show, Adelaide Fringe 2012
The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht through Culture Ireland supports Irish artists participating in numerous cultural events and festivals in Scotland throughout the year.