Parliamentary News Release
049/2004
10 September 2004
SIR SEAN CONNERY CONFIRMED FOR OPENING OF HOLYROOD
On the day the Parliament has announced a programme of public entertainment to mark Holyrood’s formal opening on October 9, Sir Sean Connery has accepted his invitation to the day.
After confirming by telephone to the Presiding Officer, Sir Sean said:
“I always said that I would want to be here for the opening of this marvellous building. It’s taken some manoeuvring of my plans, but how could I miss this? The building marks a new start for Scottish politics and that deserves a celebration. We need to recapture the optimism felt by many Scots in 1999 and encourage the political parties as well as the media to work together for Scotland."
Sir Sean will be part of the 1,000-strong Riding down the Royal Mile, along with bands from across Scotland, which forms just one strand of the programme of entertainment for the day. Details of the Chamber event, which includes Nicola Benedetti and Eddi Reader, will be announced in the next two weeks.
Presiding Officer, George Reid, said:
“This is a day first and foremost for the Scottish people and many have already responded with enthusiasm, overwhelming us with offers of live performances.
“As a result, the programme we have been able to put together is an entertaining mixture of experienced professional entertainers, younger people, community organisations and talented individuals.
“All of them will celebrate the diversity of Scottish culture and bring to the day an element of excitement and history which everyone can enjoy.”
Scottish dance, music, poetry, drama and recitals will be performed in Parliament Square, on the Royal Mile, and in the Parliament’s landscaped garden area to entertain the thousands of members of the public who are expected to visit the Royal Mile on the day.
Our Dynamic Earth, neighbours of the Parliament, will also be open to the public as a venue for some of the entertainment.
Some of the highlights of the programme include:
- Guests being greeted at Parliament Square by a Scottish Youth Theatre re-enactment of part of Scotland’s past before 1707
- Bands entertaining the crowds along the Royal Mile prior to the start of the Riding, include:
- the Gutty Slippers who played in New York’s Central Park as part of this year’s Tartan Day celebrations.
- Clan An Drumma, the energetic and rhythmic band from Glasgow who have recently toured America, before going on to Spain and Norway.
- Clan Wallace, the Finale performance at the end of the Fringe Celebrations 2003 and are known for their mixture of Scottish contemporary and tribal music.
- Caledon will perform in the landscaped gardens. A music group of 4 tenors whose recent performances include the First Minister’s Reception at the MTV Awards and at the United Nations in the presence of Kofi Annan.
- Military and brass bands from each region of Scotland leading the Riding.
Background:
Further details on the programme for the Chamber and the guest list will be released in the next two weeks.
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