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The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD, is this evening (Wednesday) travelling to Scotland to participate in the Edinburgh International Culture Summit and attend a number of performances of Irish artists who are showcasing their work in the Edinburgh Festivals with the support of Culture Ireland.

Minister Humphreys will meet with Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs. Minister Humphreys will join over 40 Culture Ministers from around the world participating in the Culture Summit, which includes sessions on protecting our cultural heritage, resourcing the cultural sector in challenging times and breaking down barriers to cultural participation.

Culture Ireland is supporting six Irish shows through its Showcase Programme at this year’s Edinburgh Festivals. Minister Humphreys will attend performances of four of these shows as part of her trip.

Speaking today Minister Humphreys said:
“The Edinburgh Festivals provide Irish artists with an invaluable opportunity to showcase their work to a varied international audience. The six Irish shows being supported by Culture Ireland this year feature some of best of Ireland’s contemporary theatre and dance artists.

“The quality of this year’s Irish artists at Edinburgh has already been recognised, with Remember to Breathe by Orla Murphy winning the Lustrum Award, and Lïnger by Breandán de Gallaí has been nominated for a Total Theatre Award in the category of Dance. In recent years, artists and companies who have featured as part of Culture Ireland’s programme have gone on to international success and acclaim, underlining the importance of supporting Irish artists to showcase in Edinburgh.

“Tomorrow evening, Poetry Ireland is holding a special event, Unbound, as part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival. The event is being supported by Culture Ireland as part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme.

“The Edinburgh International Culture Summit will provide a valuable opportunity to discuss some of the key challenges and opportunities for culture and heritage with other arts and culture ministers from around the world.

“I also look forward to meeting with Fiona Hyslop, to discuss issues of mutual importance to Ireland and Scotland, including the implications of the Leave vote in the EU-UK Referendum.”