Liz Smith Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife has led a debate in the Scottish Parliament supporting Perth’s bid to become the 2021 UK City of Culture.
Liz Smith Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife said:
“Perth is at the very heart of Scotland’s story. Once just beyond the very northern edge of the Roman Empire it is where ancient Scotland and the Kingdom of Alba were forged, and it was, of course, once the capital and the crowning place of Scottish Kings. Scone Palace - immortalised in Macbeth – remains a lasting symbol of Perth’s historic and royal connections and was the most fitting venue when Her Majesty The Queen bestowed City Status on Perth just a few years ago.
“Perth has had plenty reason throughout history to celebrate its culture but it is ambitious to do more; to build on the highly successful Perth Festival of the Arts, which was founded in 1972 and the magnificent art collections in the museums and galleries, including the Fergusson Gallery which celebrates the life and work of the celebrated Scottish Colourist John Duncan Fergusson whose wife, Margaret Morris, was the pioneer of modern dance,
“Being named UK City of Culture also brings the opportunity for the winning city to host key UK Cultural events such as the Turner Prize (which was awarded in Scotland for the first time last week in Glasgow’s Tramway arts centre, the Man Booker Prize and the Stirling Prize.
“If successful, the whole of Perthshire and Kinross-shire could benefit from thousands of additional visitors and lead to an estimated £60 million boost for the local economy. Importantly the bid also has the potential to act as a catalyst for key regeneration projects including, it is hoped, long neglected areas such as Bridgend and a long term future use for St Paul’s Church.
“As mentioned earlier, it is only three years since Perth had its city status restored to mark Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012. So Perth’s bid for the city of culture represents a really exciting opportunity to put Perth and Perthshire and Kinross-shire firmly on the culture map of the United Kingdom as well as raising the international profile of Perth.
“Perth is a relatively small city - with the population standing at around 47,000. However, I believe it is important that the relative size of a city should not a deciding factor on whether or not a city can successfully host and deliver the events and programme that UK City of Culture offers.
“The quality of the cultural organisations based in the area is exceptional: Horsecross Arts, the Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Perth Festival of the Arts and many more. Culture is central to the future aspirations for Perth, both in terms of the economic benefits which culture can generate, and, just as importantly, its wider transformative power to improve the quality of life and build a sense of identify and civic pride across communities.”