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First Day for Holyrood's Festival of Politics
22 August, 2006
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The second Festival of Politics gets under way on Wednesday with a range of topical events designed to engage people of all ages in the world of politics.
From Wednesday to Saturday, 23-26 August, this award-winning four-day festival has something for visitors of all ages - and brings together the worlds of politics, media and the arts through performance, discussion and debate.
Some of the famous faces taking the stage at the Scottish Parliament are newsreader George Alagiah, TV historian Dan Snow and comedian and writer Armando Iannucci.
Parliamentarians Tam Dalyall and Sir Menzies Campbell will also be speaking in a packed programme that includes debates on the Middle East , Culloden, Scottish identity and the health of political democracy and entrepreneurship.
There will also be live performances from three times winner of the 2005 BBC Folk on 2 awards, Karine Polwart, award winning Hollywood actress Tommie Stewart and US singer-songwriters Emma's Revolution.
On their way to and from events, festival-goers will be able to view the World Press Photo exhibition - showing for the first time ever in Scotland . One of the world's largest and most prestigious photographic exhibitions, it contains more than 200 striking images taken by leading photojournalists of dramatic, life-changing events in 2005.
Presiding Officer George Reid, said:
"This year's Festival of Politics has almost double the number of events and includes an extra dedicated family day.
"From hard-hitting political debate to cutting-edge comedy along with multi-cultural dance and home-grown Scottish folk music - our diverse programme contains something for everyone."
Building on the success of the inaugural programme in 2005, this year the Festival has doubled the number of events to almost 50, and includes a dedicated family-friendly day on Saturday 26 August.
From 11am to 4pm , families can drop into Holyrood to take part in a whole range of fun and games, many of which are free. These include political snakes and ladders, dance and music from Malawi and even the chance to create a designer politician in the unique 'Build Your Own MSP' game.
Background notes
Holyrood's 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.
Full programme details for the Festival of Politics are available at most major Edinburgh Festival Venues, from the Scottish Parliament or from our website (www.festivalofpolitics.org.uk). The Festival takes places 23-26 August.
For media accreditation please phone 0141 348 6852.
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.
Tickets can be obtained:
- Online from: www.festivalofpolitics.org.uk. Online booking is available 24 hours up to 4pm 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.
Visitors to the Festival will be able to use the free crèche. The crèche opened in 2004 for members of the public visiting Parliament and provides up to four hours free child care for 0-5 year olds. For information call: 0131 348 6192.
To ensure Festival of Politics events are as accessible as possible, please specify requirements when booking tickets. While British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation is provided automatically at some events, it can be requested for any of the others. Assistance dogs are welcome and all venues are accessible for wheelchair users.
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.
