French connections

Culture and External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop will visit Paris to celebrate Scotland’s cultural ties with France and highlight the strong contribution French artists and companies will make to the 2018 Edinburgh International Festival. 

Ms Hyslop will also undertake wider cultural engagements, including meetings with UNESCO representatives and the Director of the British Council in France, to promote Scotland’s world-leading reputation as a centre of culture.

The Cabinet Secretary will also meet with the French Government’s Minister for Europe, Nathalie Loiseau to discuss Scotland’s position as Brexit negotiations progress.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Ms Hyslop said:

“Thanks to these exciting collaborations with some of the finest French artists, the 2018 Edinburgh International Festival will ensure Scotland maintains its reputation as the world-leading festivals capital.

“I am pleased the Scottish Government has supported the Festival through £190,000 Expo funding in 2018, enabling it to reach the widest possible audiences and contributing to the cultural and social life of Edinburgh and Scotland.

“As I meet with representatives of the French government and other institutions, I will be emphasising our motivation to strengthen our strong social, cultural and economic ties with France, as underpinned by our commitment to open a new Innovation and Investment Hub in Paris later this year.”

Background

The 2018 Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) runs from Friday, August 3 to Monday, August 27 and will bring together more than 2,700 artists from 31 countries.

Details of France’s involvement in this year’s Festival will be unveiled during a reception held at the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, one of the resident companies at the 2018 International Festival. Further information is available on EIF website.