Art Minister Visits Edinburgh For Culture Summit

Heather Humphries TD, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, travelled to Edinburgh on Wednesday to attend the Edinburgh International Culture Summit.

She will be joined by over 40 Culture Ministers from around the world, as well as Fiona Hyslop, Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs. They will discuss topics such as encouraging participation in the cultural sector, and how to financially resource it in trying times.

The summit is far from a dry political affair, however. Humphries will attend showcase performances of Irish artists, supported by Culture Ireland. Ireland has done excellently at the summit, with Orla Murphy's production Remember To Breathe winning the Lustrum award, and Lïnger by Breandán de Gallaí has being nominated for a Total Theatre Award in the Dance category. Many Irish artists who featured at the summit in previous years have gone on to enjoy international success.

"The Edinburgh Festivals provide Irish artists with an invaluable opportunity to showcase their work to a varied international audience," Humphries stated. "The six Irish shows being supported by Culture Ireland this year feature some of best of Ireland’s contemporary theatre and dance artists."

"I also look forward to meeting with Fiona Hyslop, to discuss issues of mutual importance to Ireland and Scotland, including the implications of the Leave vote in the EU-UK Referendum."

Over 60 speakers will make addresses at this years summit, from countries including Syria, Nigeria, Mexico, India, South Africa, Australia and the US.