Celtic Connections Festival are the 5th recipients of Hands Up for Trad’s Business Limelight Award. The “Limelight’s” are a monthly initiative (launched in October 2012) that recognises the outstanding contributions made by businesses and organisations who contribute, shape and influence the arts and cultural sector in Scotland today. Celtic Connections once again celebrated a very successful 20th year. Over 18 days in January and February, 2100 artists from around the globe descended on Glasgow and for this significant anniversary attendances once again reached over 100,000 and gross ticket sales topped £1 million.
We asked Hannah Matheson of Glasgow Life the following questions.
What is your principle company activity?
Glasgow’s annual folk, roots and world music festival Celtic Connections celebrates Celtic music and its connections to cultures across the globe. In 2013 it celebrated its 20th anniversary and each January, 2,100 musicians from around the world descend on Glasgow for 18 days of concerts, ceilidhs, talks, art exhibitions, workshops, free events, late night sessions and a host of special one-off musical collaborations.
When and where did the company first start trading?
The first Celtic Connections festival took place in one venue in Glasgow in 1994.
What made you want to work in Scottish culture?
The festival was started to fill a gap in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall’s calendar but now fills the city with over 100,000 attendances at events every year.
Can you tell us of any particular company highlights?
In September 2012, Celtic Connections programmed various musical performances throughout the Ryder Cup in Chicago, including the Closing Ceremony along with a number of other hospitality events. Throughout the week there were a total of 42 performers from Scotland and America, who celebrated the collaboration and long term partnerships that have developed over the festival’s history, in many performances in and around the Ryder Cup events programme. Celtic Connections also programmed two main concerts throughout the Ryder Cup: Transatlantic Sessions premiere performance in the US and a one-off show celebrating the cream of Scottish musical talent.
What are your company’s plans for the future?
The festival aims to continue to put traditional music on a professional platform and connect cultures across the globe through music.
There is also clearly an appetite for audiences to experience Celtic Connections outside of Glasgow at an alternative time of the year. This is dependent on specific funding to allow us to promote the festival brand elsewhere.
How will you celebrate receiving Hands Up for Trad’s Business
Limelight award?
By writing a press release and also publicising on Facebook and Twitter.
Contact:
Hannah Matheson
Celtic Connections Press Office
Email: hannah.matheson@glasgowlife.org.uk Tel: 0141 287 3565
Follow these topics: Uncategorized