Listen
Hogmanay programme unveiled
04/11/2008
The 2008-09 Edinburgh Hogmanay programme was officially launched today.
Unveiling the programme, First Minister Alex Salmond said that the celebrations will offer visitors a flavour of the events lined up for Scotland's Homecoming Year in 2009.
Inspired by the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, Homecoming 2009 will celebrate Scotland's contribution to the world. A programme of events will run from Burns Night on January 24 through to St Andrew's Day.
The capital's Hogmanay programme includes:
- The Dancin', a new performance for the January 30, supported by £95,000 of EventScotland funding, which will highlight the international influence of Scottish dance, featuring country dancing, line dancing and Bollywood inspired dance
- Feet First, a specially commissioned event showcasing Scottish street performance and outdoor art. Supported by £215,000 from the Scottish Government's Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund, Feet First will be family event based around the theme of First Footing and will take over the Royal Mile on New Year's day with an amazing array of street and aerial performances
- The Torchlight procession on December 29 will feature an effigy of Scotland's iconic symbol the Lion Rampant and carry the Homecoming message
- Homecoming Scotland are working with Hogmanay producers to ensure that the traditional rousing rendition of Robert Burns' most famous song, Auld Lang Syne, will herald the year of Homecoming and the 250th anniversary of the bard's birth
The First Minister said:
"Edinburgh is the home of Hogmanay. This year's programme showcases the best of Scottish music, arts and culture, and reinforces Edinburgh's reputation as the best place in the world to see in the bells.
"The Hogmanay celebrations help to promote Edinburgh, and Scotland, as a fantastic tourist destination and highlights the first-class hospitality Scotland offers visitors.
"The celebrations also make a significant contribution to the Scottish economy, generating an estimated £110 million over the past four years - equivalent to 500 full time jobs.
"Hogmanay is traditionally a time to return home and visit family and friends, so I am delighted that visitors this year will get flavour of the forthcoming Homecoming 2009 celebrations.
"Last year, 60 per cent of people attending Edinburgh Hogmanay events were from outside Scotland. The event is a fantastic opportunity to give tourists a taste of the forthcoming Homecoming programme and to encourage them to return to Scotland for what promises to be the biggest celebration of Scottish culture, heritage and innovation yet."
Edinburgh's Hogmanay is a four-day programme, which is supported by £72,000 of Scottish Government funding.
Scotland's Homecoming celebrations will run from the weekend around Burns Night (January 23-25) to St Andrew's Day (November 30) 2009, across the country and throughout the year.
The Edinburgh Festivals Expo fund supports the costs of new productions, events or exhibitions which involve Scottish-based participants and are premiered at any of the Edinburgh Festivals. The fund can also be used to support touring of events or performances after their premiere at the festival and allow successful work to reach new audiences. The planned expenditure for the Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund is £6 million over three years (2008-2009 to 2011-2012), and is available to all 12 Festivals. Resources of £1.308 million have been allocated in 2008-09.