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Introducing The Year of Scotland in Australia 2020

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From a packed launch event at Sydney Opera House today, attended by Australia’s music festival directors and promoters, Creative Scotland’s Head of Music, Alan Morrison joined Amanda Jackes of Australia’s legendary Woodfordia festival, to announce the first details of what is set to be the largest showcase of traditional Scottish music and heritage in Australia, ever.

Taking place over 12 months from December 31st 2019 until and including December 31st 2020, hundreds of performances of Scotland’s finest Traditional, Gaelic and Celtic musicians will take the stage. In just the first three months between January and March there are 150 performances at over 70 festivals and venues in more than 60 towns and cities.

With many more to be announced in the New Year, the fast-expanding program already features the world-renowned https://www.capercaillie.co.uk/“>Capercaillie, alongside https://www.elephantsessions.com/“>Elephant Sessions and multi-award winning http://breabach.com/“>Breabach, as well as http://moishesbagel.com/“>Moishe’s Bagel, https://www.rura.co.uk/“>Rura, https://www.facebook.com/thejohnlanganband/“>The Langanband, https://www.thejellymansdaughter.com/“>The Jellymans Daughter, and rising stars such as https://www.brichaimbeul.com/“>Brìghde Chaimbeul, http://faramusic.co.uk/“>Fara, and https://www.siobhanmiller.com/“>Siobhan Miller

Many of the acts have strong roots in their cultural heritage whilst also drawing upon other musical genres, be it rock, jazz, classical or pop.  This diversity in music will showcase the vibrancy of Scotland’s living tradition - contemporary, confident and hugely appealing to audiences at home and abroad.  

From The Glenturret Burns Night Supper on January 25, during which Scottish tradition will meet Australian Indigenous culture at Sydney’s Opera House, and a 27-date Scottish Towns and Grand Houses circuit across the country in conjunction with the National Trust, through to the Brigadoon Highland Games, a local version of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Woodford Folk Festival Hogmanay on 31 December, The Year of Scotland in Australia will bring a breadth of Scottish culture and heritage to Australian audiences.  The Year also aims to highlight the ongoing work of Australian-based organisations who maintain Scottish tradition and culture through the presentation of their own Burns Nights, Games, Ceilidhs, Clan Gatherings and festivals, annually.

Produced and curated by Showcase Scotland Expo and Woodfordia Inc in partnership with Australia’s festivals and event organisers, The Year of Scotland in Australia 2020 is backed by Creative Scotland, VisitScotland, The Scottish Government and The Glenturret whisky. 

Fiona Hyslop, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, said:“With this shared investment, festival visitors will be introduced to our music, heritage and culture. My hope is that new working partnerships will be forged, creating demand for continued Scottish performances beyond next year, and encouraging our friends Down Under to come to Scotland and experience all we have to offer.”Woodfordia Inc.’s General Manager, Amanda Jackes said:“It’s also a wonderful chance to look into what’s already happening in Australia – there are so many bands, clans, community groups and organisations keeping Scottish tradition alive and helping to move it forward. In creating new projects, such as the Scottish Towns and Grand Houses Tour, or the curation of several Festivals of Small Halls tours featuring Scottish artists, we’ve found that almost everyone has some connection to Scotland – and if they don’t, they will after 2020.”Creative Scotland’s Head of Music, Alan Morrison, said:“This year-long celebration of Scottish heritage will resonate with Australian audiences whose family roots go deep into Scottish soil but also with anyone who simply enjoys good music played brilliantly by world-class artists. “The buzz of excitement surrounding our folk and trad scene has been growing louder in recent years, as our most cherished tradition bearers rub shoulders with the next generation of breathtaking talent. The music they make is steeped in the past but drives head-on into the 21st century, reaching new fans at home and abroad, and bringing our cultures closer together.”Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said:“More than 119,000 Australian residents were born in Scotland, while over two million claim Scottish ancestry, underlining the genuine shared heritage between our two nations. This program of events will showcase some of the best of Scottish talent and is an ideal way to celebrate that strong and long-standing bond.”

To keep up to date with the fast expanding year long programme, more detailed information and ticket links, visit  www.yearofscotlandaustralia2020.comand follow @YOSA2020 #YOSA2020.

ENDSNotes to Editors:

The Year of Scotland in Australia 2020Presenting Partner

Albany Arts Festival, Bello Winter Music Festival, Blue Mountains Music Festival, Cobargo Folk Festival, Cygnet Folk Festival, Darwin Festival, Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival, Fairbridge Folk Festival, Festival of Small Halls Australia, Folk by the Sea, FourWinds Festival, Groundwater, Horizon Festival, Majors Creek Festival, Maldon Folk Festival, Maleny Music Festival, Mullum Music Festival, Nannup Music Festival, National Celtic Festival, National Folk Festival, Newstead Folk Festival, Palm Creek Folk Festival, Peak Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, St Albans Folk Festival, The Planting Festival, WOMADelaide, Woodford Folk Festival.

The Australian Scottish diasporaProgramme Highlights from Dec 31 2019 – March 2020

Three flagship events designed to celebrate Scottish culture are taking place in the first part of 2020 with support from The Glenturret (Scotland’s oldest distillery):

  • Hogmanay celebrations will be a central event at the Woodford Folk Festival with top Scottish artists Elephant Sessions, Brighde Chaimbeul, Siobhan Miller and Australian guests performing on the main stage to “bring in the bells” in what will be the opening concert for the entire year. Australian celebrity chef Matt Golinski will create a special ‘Scottish Feast’ featuring tastes of Scotland combined with native flavours for the annual Festival Feast, and favourites, Big Rory and Ochie from Surreal McCoy will perform during the six day festival alongside Australian-based Scottish artists such Fiona Ross and Shane O’Mara, Colin Lillie, Noosa and District Pipe Band, Emma Nixon and Isle of Skye. With Scottish tune session programs, themed concerts and whisky tastings from The Glenturret, the festival promises a full flavor of Scottish culture.
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Introducing The Year of Scotland in Australia 2020

Over 150 performances between January and March 2020 by Scotland’s finest Traditional, Gaelic and Celtic musicians at over 70 Australian festivals and venues

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