Blas Festival Announces 2009 Programme
The Blas Festival is set to play a role in attracting tourists to the Highlands as it launches its new programme for 2009. Blas will deliver a series of special concerts to be played in distilleries across the region as well as performances by top music artistes such as Dougie Maclean in venues ranging from village halls to Eden Court Theatre.
Blas is now an established cultural festival in the Scottish calendar and organisers have chosen Burns Night (25th January) the birthdate of the nation’s poet, to open ticket sales.
As well as Dougie Maclean, Blas will also be staging performances by Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain, Blazin’ Fiddles, The Barra Macneils, and Karen Matheson. There will also be special shows based on the themes of Clan and Family Ties. An extensive schools programme and events featuring the best food of the Highlands will also be delivered.
Festival Director Donna MacRae said: “Blas is Gaelic for ‘taste’ or ‘savour’ and there is much to whet the cultural appetite in this year’s programme. We are announcing its details much earlier than previous years as we have a significant partnership with Homecoming Scotland 2009.
“We will have unique performers and events taking place right across the Highlands from 4th-12th September. We learned that Rabbie Burns favourite whisky was called the Ferintosh which was produced on the Black Isle in Ross-shire. Ferintosh is no longer with us but with our focus on whisky with events in Highland distilleries, our commitment to culture and our links with the Homecoming Scotland programme, launching on Burns Night seemed very appropriate.
“We’re convinced our programme will attract tourists in these stricken financial times and give the people of the Highlands an opportunity for authentic celebration of their own culture. The programme will go live on our website at 20:09 on Burns Night.”
The Blas festival was devised by The Highland Council in partnership with Fèisean nan Gàidheal and the Promoters Arts Network. Convener of The Highland Council, Sandy Park said: “In just a few short years, Blas has grown into one of the Highlands’ premiere events, presenting superb programmes, firmly rooted in Highland Communities. Highland Council very much values the contribution Blas makes to the region’s cultural identity in terms of economic and social impacts, its investment in young people, and its sharing and promotion of the Gaelic language. We are committed to supporting Blas in celebrating the culture of the Highlands.”
Spokesperson Homecoming Scotland 2009: “We’re delighted that we will be helping to stage the unique whisky and clan events that Blas has planned. They should prove to be great attractions to the Scots living home and abroad, and those who simply love Scottish culture.”
One of the festival’s key funders is EventScotland. Paul Bush, Chief Operating Officer, said: “The Regional Events Programme is an excellent platform for events such as Blas to build on its achievements. We’re delighted support the Blas Festival once again and fully expect Blas to continue going from strength to strength.”
The full programme and information about tickets is available from the website http://www.blas-festival.com/