08.07.2011
The Festival of Politics programme launches today with a musical line up including Midge Ure OBE and Roddy Hart. For the first time, the Parliament’s Members’ Restaurant will host musical and theatrical performances that explore political issues.
The eight day programme (Saturday 20 August to Saturday 27 August) includes 38 events. On Thursday 25 August Midge Ure OBE will be performing as well as discussing the past, present and future of political song whilst on Saturday 27 August, Roddy Hart will perform an acoustic set with his band, The Lonesome Fire.
Other musical and theatre performances include dramas by Wave Theatre Blueprint and Byre Theatre of St Andrews; musical performances from the UK Songwriting Festival, Burnsong and arias sung by Martin Aelred.
As with previous years, the Festival runs alongside the World Press Photo Exhibition at the Parliament and includes discussions relating to photography and its role in informing and influencing society.
Speaking of the programme, Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick MSP said:
“Once again, the Festival of Politics includes a dynamic programme that remains true to its roots whilst pushing the boundaries. This blend of thought provoking entertainment and politics is vital to its appeal and has ensured the Festival has become an established fixture in the Parliament’s calendar.”
Also running throughout the programme is an exploration of how technological and cultural revolutions are influencing politics in an increasingly transparent and interactive world. Debate and discussions scheduled include:
In Conversation with Richard Holloway - Thursday 25 August, 18:30 - 19:30, Committee Room 1, FREE.
As part of the General Teaching Council (GTC) for Scotland’s series of lectures, Anthony Finn, the GTC’s Chief Executive, will join Richard Holloway in conversation. Richard is a Scottish writer and broadcaster and was formerly Bishop of Edinburgh in the Scottish Episcopal Church. He is now regarded as one of the most outspoken and controversial figures in the church. In association with GTC Scotland.
Intellectual Property and the Law in a Digital Age - Friday 26 August, 16:00 - 17:00, Committee Room 1, FREE.
Intellectual property (IP) includes copyright, patents, trademarks, domain names and confidential information. Those are often viewed as legal or business issues, but IP can also aid in protection and development of the arts, music and photography. Future events such as the 2012 Olympics and 2014 Commonwealth Games present their own IP challenges and opportunities. The current UK IP system is no longer fit for its purpose and reform is needed to ensure small and medium-sized business enterprises are protected and the UK is recognised as a safe and attractive place for international business. Guest speaker Pete Wishart MP will explore the issues. Chaired by Michael Clancy, Director of Law Reform, The Law Society of Scotland. In association with The Law Society of Scotland.
Young Voices - How children can influence political decisions of policy and planning - Friday 26 August, 11:00 - 12:00, Committee Room 1, FREE.
Chairing this discussion BBC Scotland’s Special Correspondent, Ken Macdonald will be joined by Cathy McCulloch, Director of the Children’s Parliament, John Carnochan, Head of Strathclyde Police Violence Reduction Unit and representatives from the world of planning, policy and young people’s issues to consider how children's voices can be heard in shaping policy and planning at national and local levels, with specific reference to the successful modelling of EcoCities. In association with Carnegie Dunfermline Trust and the Children’s Parliament.
Where Next for the Arab Spring – Saturday 27 August 11:00 - 12:00, Main Chamber, £6.00 (Concessions £3.50). Book in advance.
The Middle East and North African regions are going through dramatic changes but what is next for the Arab Spring and what is the potential impact on the wider world? Is the intervention from the West enough, too little or indeed, welcomed? BBC’s Special Correspondent Allan Little will be joined by independent film-maker Omar Hamilton, who during the Cairo revolution used Twitter to communicate images and reaction on the streets, Mark Muller Stuart QC, Director of Beyond Borders and the Delfina Foundation and Chair of the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales, photojournalist and World Press Photo winner Ed Ou who documented the recent revolution in Egypt and Dr Florence Gaub, Academic Coordinator, Middle East Faculty, NATO Defense College. In association with the Carnegie UK Trust and Beyond Borders.
From revolution to representation - the impact of social media on politics - Saturday 27 August, 12:30 - 13:30, Committee Room 1, FREE.
Professional photographers and new media commentators will consider the impact of social media on the world of politics and social change in two very different parts of the world. The panel will include photojournalist and World Press Photo 2011 winner Ed Ou who documented the recent revolution in Egypt looking at how social media was used to galvanise support. Chaired by Patrick Harvie MSP, panellists include 2010 World Press Photo winner Simon Roberts who was commissioned as the official Election Artist for the 2010 UK General Election and Christian Payne who is actively contributing to the online debates surrounding the use of new media and photography.
The Only Way Is... Twitter? - Saturday 27 August, 16:30 - 17:30, Main Chamber, £6.00 (Concessions £3.50). Book in advance.
Social media is revolutionising how broadcasters deliver content to their audiences but what's the best way for a TV brand to engage with social media, how do you get social media working for your show, and can it ever build an audience? We've brought together a panel for whom social media is fundamental: Graham Linehan, writer behind Father Ted and The IT Crowd collaborates on Twitter with his SuperFans to create award-winning comedy TV scripts. NPR’s Andy Carvin curates the on-the-ground information from global events and has created a newsfeed of eyewitness accounts of the Arab Spring and Sean Rad who cultivated actor Charlie Sheen's Twitter account to top one million followers in 24 hours. Chaired by journalist and broadcaster Janice Forsyth, this session will blow the lid off the Twitter effect by looking at the numbers and its real impact, and will expose top tweeters' best practices for each unique content strand. It will also look to the future at the wider social media landscape. In association with the Mediaguardian International TV Festival.
Programme availability and tickets:
- Online from www.festivalofpolitics.org.uk
- By telephone: 0131 473 2000 (calls via RNID Typetalk: 18001 0131 473 2000)
- By post: to the Festival of Politics, Hub Tickets, The Hub, Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NE.
- In person: The Scottish Parliament or The Hub.
Follow us: Facebook www.facebook.com/festivalofpolitics and twitter @festofpol
Background
The Festival, which runs from 20 - 27 August, presents a diverse programme of events bringing together politics, media and the arts through performance, discussion and debate. On their way to and from events, visitors will be able to view one of the largest and most prestigious photographic exhibitions - the World Press Photo exhibition 2011. Striking images taken by the world’s leading photojournalists that depict dramatic, life-changing events from around the world, line the public entrance to the Scottish Parliament. Photographic events for the public will take place alongside this year’s Festival sessions.