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Hands Up for Trad\u2019s Women in Music and Culture 2025 list has been announced to celebrate just some of the women working in Scotland. <\/p>\nHands Up for Trad\u2019s Women in Music and Culture 2025 list has been announced to celebrate just some of the women working in Scotland. <\/p>\n
Launched as part of International Women\u2019s Day 2025<\/a>, we shine the spotlight on 13 women who all contribute towards Scotland\u2019s cultural landscape through their work. Read the 2025 list here<\/a>.<\/p>\n We asked Nicola Benedetti<\/strong> to tell us more about her work, influences and ambitions for the future.<\/p>\n How did you first get involved in the arts and who were your early influences?<\/strong> In a time when many artists and creative professionals are facing significant challenges, how have you developed and evolved your creative practice over the past few years?<\/strong> Who or what interests you creatively?<\/strong> What are your plans for the next year or so and\/or what are your longer term creative ambitions?<\/strong> Find out more about Nicola Benedetti here<\/a>. Read more about the Benedetti Foundation<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read the Hands Up for Trad\u2019s Women in Music and Culture 2024 List<\/p>\n
\nI began playing the violin at 4 years old, influenced by my sister. None of my family were musicians, so our influences were from the most prominent and easy to access artists of that time.<\/p>\n
\nFor me, everything is about a means to connect with people. Music is a continuous source of healing and binding together for people all over the world. Therefore, diversifying my particular work, i.e. The Benedetti Foundation and the Edinburgh International Festival, is an extension of this principle: to bring people together and inspire hope through the arts.<\/p>\n
\nFrom the world of the arts, we have so many inspiring figures here this summer, for example James Graham, Hanni Liang, Endea Owens and Iv\u00e1n Fischer. However, since I was a wee girl so much of my inspiration has come from a person’s ability to overcome hardship and struggle and maintain a heart and generosity towards others. These individuals are often silent, unrewarded and exist all over the world. You only have to look for them.<\/p>\n
\nThe next few years are filled with a beautiful mix of performances, tours, exciting plans for the Edinburgh International Festival and my foundation – The Benedetti Foundation. Watch this space for all of the above!<\/p>\n