Tag: Edinburgh Award 2023

Nicola Benedetti CBE receives the Edinburgh Award 2023

Nicola Benedetti CBE, was officially presented with the coveted Edinburgh Award by the Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge yesterday evening (December 5) at a civic reception at the City Chambers.

Since 2007, the Edinburgh Award has celebrated individuals who have made a truly unique contribution to the city and brought the Capital to national and international attention.

Alongside family, friends and invited guests, Benedetti received an engraved Loving Cup from the Lord Provost, an official award certificate, and a set of her handprints preserved in stone in the City Chambers quadrangle was unveiled. As part of the ceremony, a specially commissioned poem by Hannah Lavery, the Edinburgh Makar, was recited in Benedetti’s honour.

This year marked Benedetti’s first edition of the International Festival as Festival Director, which was a resounding success. Over 24 packed days, the Edinburgh International Festival saw performances from 2,500 remarkable and diverse artists representing 50 nations.

The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, and Chair of the Edinburgh Award Panel, Robert Aldridge said: “I was delighted to present Nicola Benedetti with the Edinburgh Award yesterday evening.

“Nicola’s handprints are now immortalised in stone at the City Chambers quadrangle, and she deservedly follows in the footsteps of some of the finest individuals associated with our great city.

“From heading up one of the world’s most important cultural celebrations in the Edinburgh International Festival, to being a globally renowned musician in her own right, she has represented the Capital with pride, dedication, and skill. Nicola is also one of the youngest ever recipients of the Edinburgh Award which shows the measure and scale of her talent and achievements.

“I’d also highlight the fantastic work of the Benedetti Foundation, based in the city, which focusses on musical education, participation, and experiences. Since its establishment in 2019 it has reached over 50,000 participants of all ages from 103 countries,

“I’d like to congratulate Nicola on behalf of the city, and I’m sure she will continue to do great things in the future, both here in Edinburgh and beyond.”

Festival Director of the Edinburgh International Festival, and Recipient of the Edinburgh Award 2023, Nicola Benedetti CBE said: “Each gift in our life, such as the role of Festival Director or a recognition such as this award, serves as a propellor – and an opportunity for choice.

“Each gift holds the potential for responsibility to others, that you choose to serve and grasp, or not. Each gift is a reminder of our place in a lineage of contributors to bettering life for ourselves and for others; a reminder of the collective potential we have when we all consider – in our own unique way – our civic and moral duty.”

Nicola Benedetti to receive the Edinburgh Award 2023

The Festival Director of the Edinburgh International Festival and internationally acclaimed classical violinist Nicola Benedetti CBE has been selected as the recipient of the 2023 Edinburgh Award.

Since 2007, the Edinburgh Award has celebrated individuals who have made a truly unique contribution to the city and brought our capital to national and international attention. Previous recipients include bestselling authors, ground-breaking scientists, human rights activists, and exemplary sportspeople. The Edinburgh Award allows its citizens to see the individuals who have made a real and lasting impact on the city.

This year marked Benedetti’s first edition of the International Festival as Festival Director which was a resounding success. Over 24 packed days, the Edinburgh International Festival saw performances from 2,500 remarkable and diverse artists representing 50 nations.

Nicola Benedetti will be presented with an engraved Loving Cup from the Lord Provost and have her handprints set in stone at the City Chambers later this year.

The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, and Chair of the Edinburgh Award Panel, Robert Aldridge said: “I’m delighted that Nicola Benedetti CBE has accepted the decision of the panel and become the latest recipient of the Edinburgh Award. She deservedly follows in the footsteps of some of the finest individuals associated with our great city.

“From heading up one of the world’s most important cultural celebrations in the Edinburgh International Festival, to being a globally renowned musician in her own right, she has represented the Capital with pride, dedication, and skill. Nicola is also one of the youngest ever recipients of the Edinburgh Award which shows the measure and scale of her talent and achievements.

“I’d also highlight the fantastic work of the Benedetti Foundation, based in the city, which focusses on musical education, participation, and experiences. Since its establishment in 2019 it has reached over 50,000 participants of all ages from 103 countries.

“I’d like to congratulate Nicola on behalf of the city, and I’m sure she will continue to do great things in the future, both here in Edinburgh and beyond.”

Festival Director of the Edinburgh International Festival, Nicola Benedetti CBE said: “I am deeply honoured to receive the Edinburgh Award and humbled to join the incredible list of individuals who have contributed to the cultural fabric of this city.

“I am grateful to the city of Edinburgh for recognising the importance of the arts and their contribution to our way of life.

“As my journey with Edinburgh International Festival deepens, this award, as well as the support of the people of this city, strengthens my dedication to our mission: to continue to welcome people from all walks of life into our home, and to give them artistic experiences they will never forget. Thank you so much.”

Nicola Benedetti Bio:

Nicola Benedetti is one of the most sought-after violinists of her generation and is the Festival Director of the Edinburgh International Festival. Her ability to captivate audiences and passionate advocacy for access to live music has made her one of the most influential figures in classical music today.

Nicola is the first Scottish and the first female Festival Director of the International Festival since it began in 1947. Her first Festival took place from 4-27 August 2023 and the programme was themed around the question ‘Where Do We Go From Here.’

As a performing artist, Nicola’s 2022-2023 season began with a performance of the Marsalis Violin Concerto with the RSNO at the BBC Proms and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto with Kazuki Yamada and the CBSO. Further engagements include the world premiere of James MacMillan’s Violin Concerto with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, a tour to Japan with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and performances with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia, WDR Cologne and Orchestre de Paris amongst others.

Winner of the GRAMMY award for “Best Classical Instrumental Solo” in 2020, Nicola records exclusively for Decca (Universal Music). Her latest recordings of Vivaldi Concerti (with her own Benedetti Baroque Orchestra) and Elgar’s Violin Concerto entered at number one in the UK’s Official Classical Album Chart. Other recent recordings include her GRAMMY award-winning album written especially for her by jazz musician Wynton Marsalis: Violin Concerto in D and Fiddle Dance Suite for Solo Violin. In 2021, BBC Music Magazine named her “Personality of the Year” for her online support of many young musicians during the pandemic.

Nicola was appointed a CBE in 2019, awarded the Queen’s Medal for Music (2017) and an MBE in 2013. In addition, Nicola holds the positions of Vice President (National Children’s Orchestras), Big Sister (Sistema Scotland), Patron (National Youth Orchestras of Scotland’s Junior Orchestra, Music in Secondary Schools Trust and Junior Conservatoire at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland).

In 2019, Nicola formalised her commitment to music in education when she established The Benedetti Foundation which delivers transformative experiences through mass music events and unites those who believe music is integral to life’s education. In the Foundation’s first three years, it has reached over 50,000 people (live and online) in every Scottish and English Local Authority and across 103 countries.

Edinburgh Award 2023: Nominations open

The Capital is once again searching for a worthy recipient of the coveted Edinburgh Award, with nominations for the 2023 now open.

To broaden the range of nominees it has been agreed to widen the eligibility criteria to include people who have ‘a substantial association with Edinburgh’. The update was approved at last Thursday’s meeting of the City of Edinburgh Council.  

Previously, some nominations received have been excluded due to an individual not having been born or lived in Edinburgh. Consequently, the Edinburgh Award Panel agreed unanimously to reflect this by adding in ‘substantial association with Edinburgh’ and the panel is particularly keen to welcome nominations which reflect the diversity of the city. 

Since 2007, the Edinburgh Award has celebrated an individual who has made a truly unique contribution to the city. With the new criteria it means that someone can now be nominated – whether or not they were born or lived in Edinburgh – if they have gained national and international recognition for Scotland’s Capital through their work.

The 2022 recipient was Sir Geoff Palmer, in recognition of his ground-breaking contributions to academia, his indefatigable defence of human rights in Edinburgh and beyond, and most recently his work heading up the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Group. Sir Geoff was presented with an engraved Loving Cup from the Lord Provost and had his handprints set in stone at the City Chambers quadrangle.

Edinburgh has four weeks to cast nominations for this year’s award, before a recipient is selected by a panel chaired by the Lord Provost.

The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, has urged individuals and businesses in the Capital to nominate someone for the Award:

“I am delighted that common sense has prevailed and someone who clearly has a substantial association to Edinburgh will be eligible to receive the Edinburgh Award.

“Edinburgh has been a global force in many fields, for over two centuries and this is down to the character, achievement, and excellence of our citizens. The Edinburgh Award represents an opportunity to celebrate exceptional individuals who make Edinburgh the fantastic city we see today and have enhanced the city’s reputation nationally and internationally.

“By nominating someone you can help us showcase these people and give that person the recognition and praise they deserve.

“From outstanding individual feats to the work of community groups, as Lord Provost I am consistently inspired by the ways in which the citizens of Edinburgh calmly persevere and look out for one another. This speaks to the very heart of our capital city and is a source of huge personal pride. If this reminds you of someone, I urge you to put forward a nomination.

“Edinburgh, its reputation, and its enduring global appeal is down to its people. Now looking for its 17th recipient, The Edinburgh Award needs the help of our communities, citizens and businesses to come together and find a worthy winner.”

Nominations are now open and close at 5pm on October 2, 2023.

More details about the criteria for the Edinburgh Award 2023 and to submit a nomination can be found online.