FREE CONCERT TO CELEBRATE DEWAR ARTS AWARDS

5 December 2007

The public are invited to attend a free concert held to celebrate Scotland’s talented young people at the Parliament on Monday (10 December).

The Dewar Arts Awards Fifth Anniversary Concert will take place in the Debating Chamber and feature performances by some of tomorrow’s artistic stars.

The concert will be led by Sally Reid (actor) and artistes performing include Lauren MacColl (fiddler), Fraser Gordon (bassoon player), Amira Bedrush-McDonald and Ani Batikian (violinists), Karen Cargill (mezzo-soprano) and Fraser Campbell (saxophonist).

The Dewar Arts Awards were inaugurated in 2002 in memory of Scotland’s first First Minister Donald Dewar. In the past five years over £1.25 million has been distributed to more than 100 young people by the trustees.

Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson MSP said:

“I am delighted that the Scottish Parliament is able to host this worthwhile event.

“The Dewar Arts Awards have been an effective and appropriate way to acknowledge the very special contribution of Scotland’s first First Minister. I am certain that he would have considered it fitting that we celebrate our talented and inspiring young people here in the Chamber of their Scots’ Parliament.”

The Dewar Arts Awards is a Trust and was set up by the then-Scottish Executive in memory of Scotland's first First Minister.

Public bookings

The free concert will take place in the Parliament’s Debating Chamber between 6.30pm and 7.30pm. Those attending must be seated by 6.30pm. Members of the public can attend the event by booking through Visitor Services at the Scottish Parliament on (0131) 348 5200 or by email to sp.bookings@scottish.parliament.uk. Booking ahead is recommended.

Media access

Members of the media are welcome to attend the concert and should contact Kallon Basham on 0131 348 6088 or kallon.basham@scottish.parliament.uk.

Photography

Photographs of the concert will be available by contacting Andrew Cowan at the Scottish Parliament’s Media Relations Office on 0131 348 6269 or andrew.cowan@scottish.parliament.uk.

For further information, the Scottish Parliament media contact is:

Kallon Basham: 0131 348 6088
RNID TypeTalk calls welcome: 18001 0131 348 5389
Email: kallon.basham@scottish.parliament.uk  

For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 348 5000
For general enquiries, contact: 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: 0131 348 3415 RNID Typetalk calls welcome
Email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk
Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk