Edinburgh International Culture Summit Comes To A Close

The value of culture and cultural exchange was writ large in the biggest Summit of its kind, which brought together 45 cultural delegations with over 80 speakers including Cultural Ministers, artists and practitioners from around the world to explore issues which effect every person in every nation of the world today in Scotland's stunning Parliament building.

Successfully attracting delegations from 45 countries around the world from a hugely diverse range of nations including; the United States and Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Denmark, the Summit brought together a huge range of perspectives which demonstrated the intrinsic and extreme value of culture to people, countries and economies.

Country delegations in attendance: Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, England, Finland, France, Gambia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Lithuania, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, United Republic of Tanzania, USA, Wales and Zambia.

In the Opening Ceremony Scotland's First Minister The Right Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP welcomed the culture ministers, artists and speakers gathered in the chamber to what she described as "the world's leading forum for the discussion of arts and culture policy", and placed it in the context of the festival city of Edinburgh as the globe's "cultural capital".

She said: "Your presence here speaks to our shared belief that culture is of central importance to any society. It also demonstrates our shared commitment to improve the way we support, develop and promote our cultural sector."

Focusing on investment Professor Richard Sennett and Elizabeth Diller from Diller Scofidio + Renfro from New York spoke about the reuse of heritage buildings for culture, and balancing investment in new buildings with the producers of art and culture.

Sanjoy Roy, Director of Teamwork Arts who produce the world's largest literary festival in the grounds of Diggi Palace in Jaipur said, "too long has the art sector continued to be seen as a charity case. What you all forget is that the arts does produce tangible and intangible wealth in many different ways and across the globe. You may choose not to acknowledge it, you may choose to continue to cut the budgets of arts organisations and infrastructure projects, but you do so at some peril." Calling for "action not lip service" he added "we must stand together we owe it to our next generation, our time is long over, invest in young people, invest in the arts invest, in the future of communities"

Fergus Linehan, Director of the Edinburgh International Festival talked about the cultural infrastructure of Edinburgh and its birth as a festival city, the building of venues like the Usher Hall and refurbishment of the Empire and Kings Theatres which gave the city a larger and higher quality provision than it needed for the residents and offered the Festival the space to grow. He described it as "fundamental" that we support young people and minds saying "the future will be brighter, with bigger and better dreams than us" and that our most important job is to ensure that future generations have the tools to do that.

Arianne Welsh, Member, National Youth Arts Advisory Group, Scotland: "We often hear that young people are the next generation, the future of our country but are we overlooking the contribution that young people can make today? We are the now. Young people have a unique ability to challenge and upset the status quo for the better. Our provocation for today is - use the power of imagination, harness this drive for change and who knows what incredible and defining things we can achieve together."

Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Rt. Hon Ken Macintosh MSP who will Chair the Summit said: "The Scottish Parliament is proud to support art and culture in Scotland and we were delighted to host this unique event which brought together artists, politicians, experts and academics from across the globe. I hope this Summit has led to new connections and many new opportunities to explore how the arts can further enrich all our lives."

Prince Totto Théogène Niwenshuti shared his experience of the Rwandan genocide talking about his use of dance in processing his experiences: "It is important as a genocide survivor, or a survivor of unspeakable violence, when you are dealing with something you cannot express in words, that is why I find dance so powerful. It goes deep at the heart of our souls and the heart of our being. It connects us."

Professor Bastiaan Bloem, Medical Director and Consultant Neurologist at Radbud University Medical Centre in The Netherlands shared some incredible examples of creative work with people with Parkinson's including an artist who had created carpets that looked like 3D staircases for those who cannot walk other than on stairs. He also talked about being able to see the earliest signs of Parkinson's in works of art and musical performances before it becomes apparent to medics, including those of Salvador Dalí. Making the call to Ministers "Don't cut your budget on culture and art - if we can invest in culture and art it will lead to a better and healthier population."

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "There is no other forum in the world that brings together Culture Ministers from all over the world. The Scottish Government has a strong message to all delegates - we are a modern, outward looking, open and inclusive country and we continue to open our doors and welcome the world. The Summit provides unique opportunities to forge new relations, rekindle old ones, for us to learn from each other and for discussions to take place on the role and value of the arts.

"As the Government Minister involved in establishing this Global summit in 2012 I am delighted to see how it has grown and developed. Edinburgh is steeped in a history that is defined by the coming together of people, cultures and ideas from around the world. It is as open to the world now as it ever was and during the Festival it feels as though Edinburgh belongs to the entire world."

Closing the summit, Michael Ellis, UK Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism, said: "Culture has the power to bring people and nations together and enrich the lives of all citizens. I applaud everyone who has taken part in the Edinburgh International Culture Summit and engaged in these important discussions.

"If we can work together to demonstrate the true impact of arts and culture, communities here and abroad will become healthier and happier."

Sir Ciarán Devane, Chief Executive of British Council said, "This year's Summit has provided a platform to reflect on the role of culture in building trust as a key driver in creating prosperous and secure societies. We have witnessed compelling dialogue and debate, inspiring poetry, music and song, and heard first-hand about innovative practices taking in the arts, health, wellbeing and the increasingly networked world we share. I hope all our delegates from the 45 countries represented, and in particular our international youth delegations, will see the new relationships they have formed grow well into the future."

Jonathan Mills, Director of the Edinburgh International Culture Summit Foundation said: "The Summit is a deliberate attempt to extend culture's reach beyond the conversations artists have with each other, and to highlight the opportunities of culture and its benefits to communities."

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