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Holyrood's Festival of Politics returns with an extended and more varied programme
News release issued 26 June 2006
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Holyrood's award-winning Festival of Politics will return to the Scottish Parliament in August with an extended programme of events to suit all ages and interests.
Last year's critically acclaimed inaugural event proved so popular the Festival has been extended from three to four days, has more than twice the number of events and includes the World Press Photo Exhibition - held for the first time in Scotland.
Taking place from 23 to 26 August , this ground-breaking festival brings together the worlds of politics, media and the arts through performance, discussion and debate.
Political satirist and writer, Armando Iannucci - whose credits include the award-winning BBC series The Thick of It - will give his spin on current politics, politicians and the place of satire in our democracy.
Arch devolutionary critic, Tam Dalyell will talk about his life in politics and revisit the West Lothian Question, a conundrum he first raised some 30 years ago but which is still a source of debate north and south of the border today.
Other top names include:
. George Alagiah, the internationally acclaimed journalist and news presenter who will talk about his experiences reporting events from around the world;
. Rachel Elnaugh, star of BBC TV's Dragons' Den , among the entrepreneurs whom politicians will attempt to convince of their vision for the Scottish economy;
. Karine Polwart, multiple winner at the 2005 Folk on 2 Awards, will perform with her band;
. Dan Snow, historian and star of BBC TV's Battlefield Britain, analysing the significance of the battle of Culloden, and
. Menzies Campbell, leader of the Liberal Democrats, who will talk informally about his life in politics, his vision for the party, for Scotland and beyond.
Discussion topics include conflict in the Middle East, Culloden, Scottish Identity and the health of political democracy and entrepreneurship. Some of the Parliament's leading politicians have agreed to field questions from the public during a special edition of Parliamentary question time.
Younger visitors also have an opportunity to take part with a variety of school and family events organised. Children can hunt for the hidden treasure and find out all about the Parliament, take part in a schools debate on how to spend Scotland 's money, play constituency jigsaw, political snakes and ladders and work their way round unexpected obstacles to get their legislation passed. Children will even be able to build their perfect MSP.
On their way to and from events, visitors will be able to view the World Press Photo exhibition - one of the world's largest and most prestigious photographic exhibitions. More than 200 striking images taken by the world's leading photojournalists and depicting dramatic, life-changing world events in 2005, will line the public entrance.
Presiding officer, the Rt Hon George Reid MSP, said:
"Almost 3,000 people attended our first award-winning festival last year. This time, with events during the evenings and on Saturday, as well as during the working week, we hope that even more people can enjoy the Festival of Politics.
"This year the festival offers an even greater number of events, broadening the opportunity to engage with topical issues and to discover that politics is for everyone.
"We have something for all ages, with schools events through the week and family fun on Saturday.
"Drama, music, debate, famous faces and a world class exhibition - they're all at the Festival of Politics."
Background notes
The Festival of Politics Programme 2006 includes:
Wednesday 23 August
Understanding the Middle East: Oliver Miles, former British Ambassador to Libya, and Hugh Miles, an authority on al-Jazeera and a Times Young Journalist of the Year, give their take on the roots of the situation in the Middle East and what might happen next.
Could You Make a Fortune in Scotland?: Leading parliamentarians pitch their vision for the Scottish economy to Rachel Elnaugh, star of BBC TV's Dragon's Den, and Scottish-based entrepreneurs Chris Gorman OBE, mentor on Channel 4's Make Me a Million, Michelle Mone, founder and co-owner of MJM International, and Tony Singh, top chef and founder of Oloroso Restaurant. Which politician will convince these millionaires to base their next venture here in Scotland?
The Best Small Country in the World for Animals? Professor Ranald Munro, World Society for the Protection of Animals, Nigel Miller, International Consultant on Animal Welfare, and Mike Flynn, Scottish SPCA, consider the welfare of Scotland's animals in a global context and ask how animals fit into a world in which boundaries are increasingly blurred. Chaired by Sylvia Jackson MSP, convener of the Parliament's Cross Party Group on Animal Welfare.
Thursday 24 August
Leading the Field: A Conversation with Sir Menzies Campbell MP: The leader of the Liberal Democrats talks informally to Douglas Fraser, Scottish Political Editor of The Herald, about his life in politics, his vision for the Lib Dems, for Scotland and beyond.
All at Home by 2012?: The Scottish Executive has pledged to end homelessness in Scotland by 2012. Johann Lamont MSP , Deputy Minister for Communities, joins Clare Harris, Editor of the Big Issue Scotland, and Gavin Corbett, Political Manager of Shelter Scotland, to discuss what needs to be done to meet this ambitious target. Chaired by Murray Tosh MSP, Deputy Presiding Officer.
Badalte Mausam: Changing Seasons: Sangeet Mala is Scotland's first Asian language musical group. Now these acclaimed stars of Edinburgh's Mela capture the beauty of the changing seasons and the ecological challenges of a modern world, featuring music, dance and poetry from various regions of the Indian subcontinent.
Friday 25 August
Armando Iannucci: You Couldn't Make it Up!: Acclaimed satirist and writer, Armando Iannucci - whose credits include the award-winning BBC series The Thick of It - gives his spin on current politics, politicians and the place of satire in our democracy. Chaired by Peter MacMahon , Scottish Government Editor of The Scotsman and previously chief media advisor to former First Minister, Henry McLeish.
'Picture it if Yous Will': The Ambitions of Scottish Political Theatre: Whether challenging vice and corruption in Reformation society, provoking nationalist outbursts in Enlightenment Edinburgh or questioning our nation's responsibilities in a globalised world, Scotland's playwrights have a long history of political engagement. Professor Adrianne Scullion , Glasgow University , explores the challenges for Scottish political theatre. With extracts from plays, both familiar and unexpected, presented by the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
Remembering Slavery: For the first time in the UK, Dr Tommie Stewart, award-winning Hollywood actress and Director of Theatre at Alabama State University, appears in this acclaimed performance. The powerful piece explores the legacy of slavery and the development of the civil rights movement - all the more poignant with the recent passing of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks and Corretta King, widow of Martin Luther King. The performance includes musical accompaniment by Ted Bridges.
Saturday 26 August
Drawing on Politics: Malky McCormick , Scotland 's foremost cartoonist and a regular in The Scottish Sun, talks about his art and the role of cartoons in our democracy. Join Malky for a light-hearted take on all things political and be prepared for some instant caricatures!
The Standard Life Conversation: George Alagiah: Born in Sri Lanka, brought up in Ghana and with experience of living and working across Africa, Asia and Europe, George Alagiah can see the world from many perspectives. The internationally acclaimed journalist and BBC news presenter shares his thoughts on issues including multiculturalism and international development, and talks about his experiences reporting events from around the world. Chaired by Trish Godman MSP, Deputy Presiding Officer.
Karine Polwart: Big Ideas, Big Ideas: The hugely talented Karine Polwart, multiple winner at the 2005 Folk on 2 Awards, performs for the first time in a Parliament. With a background championing human rights and combating violence against women, Karine uses her music to explore the power and limitations of song to effect change. Acclaimed as one of the most powerful and inventive interpreters of her generation, Karine will perform with members of her band.
Other participants in the festival will include:
- Evan Davis, BBC's Economics Editor
- Professor Ranald Munro, of the World Society for the Protection of Animals
- Roger Mason, Professor of Scottish History at the University of St Andrews
- BBC weather presenter, Heather Reid
- Frances Cairncross, journalist, broadcaster and Rector of Exeter College, University of Oxford
- Professor David McCrone of Edinburgh University 's Institute of Governance
- Osama Saeed, Muslim Association of Britain
- Pat Humphries and Sandy O (Emma's Revolution) award-winning activist songwriters from the USA
- Lung Ha's Theatre Company.
Tickets can be obtained :
- Online from: www.festivalofpolitics.org.uk. Online booking is available 24 hours up to 16 hours on the day before the event.
- By telephone: 0131 473 2000 (calls via RNID Typetalk: 018001 0131 473 2000). Fax: 0131 473 2003.
- By post: to the Festival of Politics, Hub Tickets, The Hub, Castlehill, Edinburgh , EH1 2NE .
- In person at the Scottish Parliament or at the Hub.
While most events are free, a small number of events will charge £5.00 (£3.00 concession) with those wishing to attend advised to book in advance.
Due to the second phase of restoration works to the Chamber (announced on 25 May 2006) which is scheduled to be carried out over the summer, other areas of the Holyrood campus including the Garden Lobby and Committee Rooms will be used as event venues.
The World Press Photo exhibition is the result of a worldwide annual competition attracting entries from leading photojournalists, agencies, newspapers and magazines from all corners of the globe. Judged each year in the Netherlands by an international jury of recognised experts, the World Press Photo this year celebrates its 50th anniversary since its founding in 1955.
The exhibition contains more than 200 striking images from life-changing world events in 2005. The winning images were selected from more than 83,000 photographs submitted by 4,448 professional photographers from 122 countries. The exhibition will be free to view and will be held in the Scottish Parliament between 22 August and 7 September 2006.
The Festival of Politics was introduced last year to Edinburgh's festival season and received an "Editors' Top Ten Award" from Threeweeks - the Edinburgh festivals' premier review publication.
Nearly 3,000 people attended 22 events in the Parliament over three days with approximately 80 per cent of seats taken up by the public. Of those members of the audience who responded to an evaluation survey, 95 per cent rated Festival events as "very good" or "good", and 96 per cent indicated they would attend similar events in future. The Festival's dedicated website received over 136,000 hits in the two months following the event's launch in late June 2005.
Media Accreditation - Media interested in covering any of the Festival of Politics events should send an email detailing their name, publication, contact details and which event they would like to cover to: [email protected]
Media will be accredited for events in August and are invited, at this stage, to indicate their interest in attending events. Please note that some events may be oversubscribed but every effort will be made to accommodate requests where possible.
For further information and to discuss interview opportunities, the media contact is:
For further information contact: [email protected]
Telephone: 0131 348 6852.
For public information/ general enquiries, telephone 0131 348 500 or 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
E-mail: [email protected]
More Festival of Politics news
The Festival of Politics is an initiative of the Scottish Parliament.
The Festival of Politics 2006 Partners are:
Standard Life; BAA Scotland; and ScottishPower.
