Starcatchers, Scotland’s arts and early years organisation based in Wester Hailes, have travelled to France this week to present their acclaimed co-production with SUPERFAN, “Little Top” at Les p’tites tommettes festival in Creil, France.
The show launches the Scottish showcase for the British Council’s UK-France, ‘Together We Imagine’, Spotlight on Culture, which is building artistic collaborations and celebrating the cultural links between the UK and France throughout this year.
Set in a specially designed ‘little top’ circus tent the show is designed to create a magical first circus experience for babies aged 0-18 months. At a time in their development when young children are discovering their own physicality, and the pleasures and perils of gravity, Little Top invites babies to experience all the fun of the circus.
Rhona Matheson, CEO of Starcatchers, is delighted to bring Little Top to France: “Little Top will transport you to a playful, joyous, upside down, topsy-turvy world where people can fly, patterns fill the air, and anything is possible.
“We are excited to present our award-winning show, a co-production with SUPERFAN, at Festival Premières Rencontres.”
The festival appearance strengthens Starcatchers’ partnership with French arts company Compagnie ACTA, following their recent Erasmus+ collaboration exploring topics around artistic awakening in early childhood.
The two organisations have already collaborated to share research findings and exchange best practices in arts for early years. Starcatchers and Compagnie ACTA presented research at PREMIERES RENCONTRES festival 2024’s European Forum in March. The Early Childhood Principles were developed by Starcatchers, Compagnie ACTA, 2turvenhoog and LaSala Teatre.
Rhona Mathesoncontinues: “We are very grateful to the British Council’s UK-France Spotlight Fund for this invaluable opportunity to strengthen our international connections.
“It’s a huge privilege to showcase Scottish work on this platform as we deepen our understanding of what artistic experiences can mean for very young audiences.”
Starcatchers is one of six Scottish-based awardees to receive over £100,000 in funding from the Spotlight on Culture Fund programme, funded with partners including Creative Scotland and the National Lottery.
Their festival presentation is part of a wider celebration of UK-France cultural partnerships happening throughout 2024, coinciding with major events like the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Norah Campbell, Head of Arts, British Council Scotland added:“What a wonderful opportunity for very young children to experience the magic of physical theatre for the first time. An excellent example of how through cultural exchange, artists can come together to share groundbreaking research and performance.
“We’re proud to help bring this innovative work to France, a fabulous start to the UK-France Cultural spotlight activity for this year.
“All the projects are now helping to maintain vital links between Scotland and France, and creatives across both countries are coming together to connect, collaborate and form lasting relationships.”
Continuing the cultural dialogue fostered by the UK/Ukraine Season of Culture, the British Council, in collaboration with the Ukrainian Institute, launches the UK/UA Creative Partnerships Programme for 2024.
The initiative aims to deepen connections between arts organisations in Ukraine and the UK.
Three exciting projects are set to unfold in Scotland as part of this program that will see Ukrainian creatives working in collaboration with artists and established arts organisations here through music, literature, performance, film, animation, and visual art.
In 2023, a successful pilot project saw five Ukrainian artists participating in residencies in Scotland. This bespoke program allowed the artists a reprieve from turmoil and an opportunity to reflect on their artistic practices and the future for the Ukrainian art sector.
We visited the residencies across Scotland, through the Future Reimagined programme. The stories feature the artists at Cove Park, Hospitalfield, Moniack Mhor, and Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop.
Norah Campbell, Head of Arts at British Council Scotland, emphasises the potential of the new UK/Ukraine Scottish projects, saying: “It’s hugely important at this time to allow creatives the space to come together, connect, and spark ideas for the future.
“Over the last two years, we’ve worked with our counterparts and colleagues here in Scotland and Ukraine to build a long-term, supportive connections and it’s fantastic to see projects blossom across the UK with the new creative partnerships programme”.
Lucy Byatt, Director at Hospitalfield who will host a further residency and events project around the theme of Grain this year added: “We’re looking forward to welcoming artists Diana Khalilova and Oleksandr Neselenko at Hospitalfield later this year and continuing our collaboration with curator Kateryna Rusetska from Kultura Medialna.
“Our shared theme of agriculture is important for communities in Ukraine, here in Scotland, and the whole globe. It’s wonderful to see artists connect with colleagues and the local community here in Arbroath.
“I’ve no doubt that this key part of our international programme will sustain networks and relationships in Scotland and the UK for the longer term.”
Projects in Scotland include:
Dnipro-Glasgow Residency: A collaboration between Glasgow Based Art Festival Cryptic and the Dnipro International Festival of Audiovisual Art and New Media Construction, will see a unique three-week residency for a Ukrainian sound artist at Cove Park International Residency Centre in March-April, culminating in a performance at the Sonica Festival in September.
Hospitalfield Collaboration: Agriculture, the countryside, and surrounding political issues will be key themes for a public project and residency programme at Hospitalfield this summer, with Ukrainian artists Diana Khalilova and Oleksandr Neselenko in collaboration with Dnipro-based organisation Kultura Medialna and FEAST Journal. Diana Khalilova will develop a new iteration of her performance project “Public Kitchen” in conversation with the people and context of Arbroath and Angus, while Olesandr Neselenko will continue his research and artistic practice on the impact of the war on the agricultural sector.
New Voices from Ukraine and Scotland: A hybrid program of online events and a two-week residency at Moniack Mhor Writers’ Centre, fostering cooperation between emerging authors from Ukraine and Scotland, facilitated by PEN Ukraine, StAnza Poetry Festival, and Moniack Mhor.
The Scottish projects were named alongside 11 other partnerships between arts organisations in Ukraine and the UK.
OVER 100 pupils aged between 16-18 from Scottish schools played the part of politicians, journalists, and lobbyists to debate on the climate crisis.
They were taking part in the British Council’s COP28 Climate Simulation Negotiation at Moray House, School of Education, University of Edinburgh, and had the opportunity to find out what it’s really like to negotiate a climate deal.
Delivered with Learning for Sustainability Scotland this debate was the first time the event has come to Scotland and the first in a series coordinated by the British Council in five cities across the UK.
The event kicked off with a keynote address from Learning for Sustainability lead at Scottish Government, Lucia Ramon Mateo, with the debate taking place in the run-up to the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates which starts on November 30.
During the negotiations, the pupils had to agree on a global strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and successfully reduce global temperature rises to no greater than 2 degrees C, making sure that all countries were on target to reduce temperatures by 2030. To do this, they used computer software developed by Climate Interactive and MIT to create a real-life climate simulation.
They were led by Professor Peter Higgins, Director of the United Nations University Regional Centre for ESD (Scotland) and Professor Dave Reay, Executive Director at Edinburgh Climate Change Institute and Professor of Carbon Management at the University of Edinburgh.
Attending the event students Rosie Zisman, and Raphael Uddin from Boroughmuir High School in Edinburgh shared the role of United Nations Secretariat General.
Speaking about the negotiations, Raphael said: “Today our aim was to reduce greenhouse emissions drastically and we just reached the target agreement for warming, bang on 2.0 degrees.
“We were able to work together, compromise, and reach this goal and no countries were left behind or lost out. It was also great to have schools from Egypt join us today, to hear about their experience during COP27 and to get an insight into the different issues, especially with COP28 coming up in Dubai”.
Rosie added:“We managed to reach consensus to fund $1billion in climate financing per year globally, which was a big win.
“At 2 degrees, we will still see dramatic increases in climate change. Today gave us just a flavour of what is possible and it is progress, but not our final destination”.
Speaking at the event, Professor Reay said: “We’ve seen skilled negotiations from the students today and many congratulations to all those taking part who have worked diligently debating the issues.
“It is extremely important that we have opportunities like this to maintain the conversation about the vital importance of keeping warming under 1.5 degrees.
“This event shows that while the global conversation on the climate crisis still falters, young people have the energy, drive and ambition to focus and ask the hard questions. Today at Moray House, we have had the privilege of working with future policy makers and global citizens, a generation who already know that activism for the planet is crucial”.
Peter Brown, Director, British Council Scotland provided a welcome to the students, he said about the event:“Well done to all those involved in today’s event – I’m delighted that young people from across Scotland, the wider UK, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates are coming together to actively engage in the challenges of climate change.
“Our research at the British Council shows clearly that the climate crisis is of deep concern – particularly to young people, and this event has put students at the head of the negotiating table.
“It has given them a unique chance to experience the realities of diplomacy and international negotiation such as that taking place at COP28, providing them with the skills and confidence to take on some of the world’s biggest challenges.”
The initiative is part of the British Council’s Schools Connectprogramme for schools in the UK and around the world. The British Council works with education policymakers to explore effective practices from other countries and help teachers to bring an international perspective to the curriculum. This supports all young people to build the skills, knowledge and attitudes they need to respond to global challenges and develop international understanding.
Through the Climate Connection programme, the British Council is also supporting people globally to find creative solutions to climate change in support of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in UAE this month.
The British Council is supporting the summit by engaging with networks of education professionals, students, academics, researchers, artists, civil society leaders and policymakers to participate in meaningful dialogue and bring about real change for our planet.
This event continues the British Council’s work, building connection, understanding and trust between people in the UK and overseas through arts, education and English language teaching.
To find out more about their work in Scotland visit:
The 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe draws to a close today having brought together artists, international arts industry and media, and both loyal Fringe fans and new audiences.
After some of the most challenging years on record for the sector, the hard work and effort of the artists, venues, producers, promoters, arts and media industry, and staff should be recognised and celebrated.
The lead up brought with it understandable anxiety, as Fringe-makers took on the risk and uncertainty of returning in a year like no other. Audience patterns have changed, industrial action caused significant disruption to rail travel and refuse collection, and affordable accommodation in Edinburgh was at crisis point. This year’s festival has been a colossal and collective effort.
We recognise and thank the residents and businesses of Edinburgh and the Lothians, home to the Fringe for the last 75 years. Residents of our historic city accounted for 39% of all tickets issued (+4% on 2019), and their support and commitment to the festival is evident. Overseas audience attendances also increased, accounting for 10% of all tickets issued (+2% on 2019).
While the number of tickets issued is testament to the commitment of those who put on the shows and the audiences who came to see them, far beyond what we could have imagined at the start of the year.
The growing cost of Edinburgh for artists points to the need for long-term recovery, investment, and support to ensure the sustainability and longevity of one of the world’s most important cultural events.
Some clear challenges have emerged, and we need a collective approach to address these, or the future of this long-running beacon for cultural connection and development will be in jeopardy.
This year’s Fringe saw an estimated 2,201,175 tickets issued across 3,334 shows which were performed by artists from 63 countries. The festival welcomed diverse work from Scotland, the UK, Europe and the rest of the world, with 13 showcases including work from Canada, Finland, Belgium, Taiwan, South Korea, Ireland – North and South, Denmark and Australia.
The 2022 programme tackled themes and issues such as mental health, gender and gender identity, neurodiversity, disability, feminism, lockdown, experience of migration, LGBTQ+, politics, race and racial identity and work for children; with upcoming talent showcased alongside well-known performers and international work.
The Street Events programme was extended into new sites, with 3,284 performances by Street Performers across the programme. These included 650 Taster Stage slots on new sites in St Andrew Square and Cathedral Square in St James Quarter. 170 shows were represented, with five additional slots given to community groups and schools.
Over 35 professional development events for Fringe participants were delivered in partnership with 16 external organisations in Fringe Central, our dedicated centre for artists at the heart of the Fringe, and on Fringe Connect, our online home for artists.
The Arts Industry office accredited 1,354 producers, programmers, bookers, talent agencies, festivals and others from 45 countries, looking to find work, tour it and support artists beyond the festival itself. They were joined by over 770 of the world’s media, and 147 delegates who participated in Screen Fringe.
The communities, learning and access team worked on a number of key initiatives, including loaning out 150 sensory backpacks for autistic children and adults. BSL interpretation took place in West Parliament Square on five days of the festival, and a dedicated Changing Places toilet was located beside George Square.
The Society worked with over 30 Edinburgh charities and community groups to distribute over £60,000 of Fringe vouchers and Lothian bus tickets, enabling residents from across the city to experience the festival, many for the very first time. In addition, over 900 schoolchildren came to the Fringe as part of our schools’ outreach work.
Shona McCarthy, CEO of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “Our enormous congratulations go out to everyone who came together to create the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
“This year’s festival is the first step in what will be a long road to recovery and renewal. The hard work of thousands of artists, and hundreds of venues, producers and staff has combined to deliver the 75th anniversary festival during one of the most challenging summers on record.
“We recognise the significant amount of work that is still required to support the long-term sustainability of this phenomenal Festival. As we review and discuss all the learnings from this year, our focus this autumn will be on planning for the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe.
“Collectively we will work to advocate for greater support for those at the heart of the Fringe – our artists. The eyes of the world look to this historic city every August, and we need to work together to ensure the Fringe is the best place for creatives to express their ideas, audiences to support them and for people across the sector to develop their skills and careers for the next 75 years.”
Benny Higgins, Chair of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, added: “I add my congratulations to those that worked tirelessly this August to deliver the 75th anniversary of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The importance of this festival cannot be underestimated. Artists use the Fringe as a place to perform, connect and springboard onto their next career opportunity.
“Recovery takes time, and that is why in June we launched our future development goals. The Society acts to offer anyone a stage and everyone a seat, and there is much to do in the coming months. We need to ensure the Fringe is the best place for thriving artists, while ensuring fair work and good citizenship.
“Our digital experience will be key to delivering our climate action targets, and we need to do more to ensure who you are, and where you’re from, is not a barrier to attending or participating in the Fringe.”
As a charity, the work of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society would not be possible without the valuable support of our partners, sponsors and funders.
We are hugely grateful to the support of partners City of Edinburgh Council, EventScotland, Creative Scotland, The Scottish Government, British Council, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, St James Quarter and Nuveen.
Our thanks to sponsors TikTok, Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Edinburgh Gin and Cirrus Logic. Our continued appreciation also to our Fringe Angels, Patrons, Friends and supporters who help make the Fringe happen each year.
Next year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe will run from 04 – 28 August 2023.
