The Scottish Government EU Office in Brussels organises a programme of policy and cultural events each year which are mainly held in Scotland House, Schuman and occasionally in other venues in Brussels.
Forthcoming events in 2012
Unless otherwise specified, all of these events will take place in the Scotland House conference centre at Rond-Point Schuman 6. Location map for Scotland House.
There is no charge to attend these events but places are limited. If you are interested in attending an event, please register your interests by emailing the Brussels Events mailbox.
Past events in 2012
20-21 April
The award-winning and internationally acclaimed production ‘Interiors’ from Glasgow-based theatre company Vanishing Point performed at the Bozar (Centre of Fine Arts) in Brussels. Written and directed by Matthew Lenton, ‘Interiors’ is inspired by Belgian Nobel Prize winner Maurice Maeterlinck’s Intérieur, and was brought to Brussels with the support of the British Council Benelux.
The Scottish Government EU Office hosted a small reception after the performance, with the UK Ambassador to Belgium and the British Council, which provided an opportunity to promote the values of the Year of Creative Scotland.
19 March
The Scottish Government EU Office hosted an evening of Scottish-Danish Jazz, in celebration of the current Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU and the 2012 Year of Creative Scotland. The event brought together two groups of outstanding jazz musicians, the Bill Fleming Quartet and the Julie Wieland Trio from the Scottish and Danish branches of the charitable organisation Live Music Now. Around 100 colleagues from the European Institutions and Permanent Representations attended, including a good number of Danish contacts. Following the performance, guests enjoyed a networking reception featuring delicious Scottish produce. As well as giving recognition to the Danish Presidency, the concert contributed to the aims of the Year of Creative Scotland by showcasing young, emerging Scottish talent to an international audience.
24 January
On the eve of Burns night, 24 January, the Scottish Government EU Office celebrated the work of Robert Burns and the launch of the Year of Creative Scotland with a concert and supper for over 140 colleagues from the EU institutions and Permanent Representations. Students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland showcased their talent with theatrical performances of Burns’ most famous songs and poems, and afterwards guests enjoyed a networking reception, with the opportunity to sample ‘haggis, neeps and tatties’ and Scottish ‘cranachan’. The event was a great success, providing an international platform for up and coming creative talent in Scotland, and demonstrating traditional Scottish culture to a European audience.
23 January
The Scottish Government EU Office held their 5th annual Burns Supper at the UK Ambassador’s Residence in Brussels. The celebration, which was hosted by the Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison was an opportunity to showcase Scottish culture and literature, and to welcome this year’s EU Presidencies of Denmark and Cyprus. Danish and Cypriot officials from the Permanent Representations and EU institutions joined colleagues from Scotland, the UK Permanent Representation to the EU, Wales and Northern Ireland for a traditional Burns Supper, with entertainment from musicians of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Stewart Stevenson delivered the Immortal memory of Robert Burns and was joined by speakers from the British Embassy, the European Commission and the Danish Cultural Institute who contributed Burns inspired toasts for the evening.