PRESS RELEASE

28/11/03 for IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Frank McAveety supports traditional music on St Andrew's Day

St Andrew's Day Celebrations 2003

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Hands Up for Trad, with great help from Visit Scotland have coordinated a nationwide series of events around St Andrew's Day (30/11/03) to enable people to experience the riches of our Traditional music and song. We have 32 performance workshops happening from Shetland to the Scottish borders.

Frank McAveety, Minister for Culture, Tourism and the Arts has released the following statement:

"Scottish traditional music and song are inextricably bound up with an appreciation of a cultural heritage and our perceptions of national identity. I think it is fitting, therefore, that St Andrew's Day should be the focus of a series of events that provide an opportunity for the public to experience some of the finest traditional Scottish music around. Visitors and locals alike can enhance the celebration of St Andrew's Day in a uniquely Scottish way that will provide a memorable and enjoyable experience."

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For further information contact:

Simon Thoumire @ "Hands Up For Trad"
w: www.handsupfortrad.co.uk. e: info@handsupfortrad.co.uk t: 01899850658 m: 07775854572

Notes to the Editor

For more details check out www.handsupfortrad.co.uk/standrewsday
Sponsors are Visit Scotland, TMSA, Scottish Arts Council, Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association, Foot Stompin' Records, South Lanarkshire Council, Feis Nan Gael, St Andrew's Week Celebrations