LOCAL MSP PROMOTES FIFE FESTIVALS IN PARLIAMENT

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 24th Jun 2009

Local MSP Iain Smith was heralding the virtues of Fife festivals in the Scottish Parliament recently.

Speaking in a parliamentary debate on the energy, commitment and creativity of Scotland's festivals and their contribution to the financial success of, and quality of life in, Scotland, Mr Smith took the opportunity to highlight the wide range and importance of festivals in his North East Fife constituency.

Speaking in the debate Iain Smith said:

"All members will hope to promote some of the events in our constituencies, and I will be no different. In my constituency, there are several events throughout the year such as the StAnza international poetry festival. This weekend sees the start of the Falkland festival and its fourth traditional music festival.

"We have the East Neuk festival from 1 to 5 July, which includes international musicians playing in everything from churches to scout huts and even a cave. We have the Crail festival, which includes community events, string quartets, jazz, buskers, junior drama workshops, a history of Scotland in 60 minutes or less and even beach volleyball.

"The Big Tent festival in Falkland, Scotland's largest eco-festival, is a family event packed with great debates, activities, music and food. The Pittenweem arts festival from 1 to 9 August has 100 exhibitions in a variety of venues, including people's homes-it is a great opportunity to have a nose round. Halls, galleries and the harbour itself make an excellent background for a great exhibition of the visual arts.

"The Auchtermuchty festival is a major part of the Scottish traditional music scene. It is a 10-day music and community event, which is in its 29th year this year; I was at the first one, and have been at several since.

"There is the Lammas market in St Andrews, which is the oldest surviving medieval street fair in Scotland, featuring market stalls, food, drink, concerts, dances, public functions and shows. The Anstruther muster attracts 100 visiting yachts and has something for everyone, including art exhibitions, stalls, music, dancing, singing, eating and-most important-sailing.

"St Monans community arts festival in September crams into a weekend music, song, dance, poetry, workshops, exhibitions, displays, arts and crafts. In October, there is the Cupar arts festival, which is in its second year; there is visual and public art throughout the town, including music, performance, poetry, film and workshops. We finish off with the St Andrews festival week, which is a unique week of festivities celebrating the nation's patron saint, including the première of the spectacular son et lumière, depicting the nation's historic journey projected on to the walls of the town.

"That does not include all the individual gala days, Highland games and so on that contribute to our communities and to the festival atmosphere throughout Scotland all year long, but particularly during the summer months.

"Festivals play an important part in attracting visitors to return to Scotland. People come to Scotland thinking that there might not be much to do, and discover that such a wide range of different events is going on that they come back year after year."

ENDS