Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
PRESS RELEASE
08 May 2001
For Use: Immediately
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Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 08 May 2001 For Use: Immediately | |
The rich cultural and musical heritage of the Western Isles will be featured at the World Festival For Island Cultures taking place next week in Jeju, South Korea at which over half a million visitors from across the world are expected. A party of 20 singers, dancers and musicians will represent the Western Isles which is the only UK area invited to take part.
The month long festival, which gets underway on May 18th, will also be a prime opportunity to promote Western Isles trade and economic development particularly tourism and Harris Tweed.
The trip has the backing of the Foreign Office who have agreed to contribute
£6,000 towards the costs. Brian Wilson, Minister at the Foreign Office,
said:
“This is a wonderful stage for the Western Isles to perform upon and it
is exactly the kind of international opportunity which the Gaelic community
should be seizing in order to demonstrate its richness and distinctiveness to
the world.
“Korea is an extremely important market for British exports and I have
asked our Embassy there to give all possible support to the Western Isles contingent.
I am pleased to say that the Foreign Office has been able to make a small contribution
towards the costs of this marvellous expedition.”
Cllr. Donald Maclean, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Chairman of Economic
Development who will be in Korea for part of the Festival, said: “This
is an excellent opportunity to promote the Western Isles as an ideal UK tourist
destination, rich in culture, nature and history. Tourists are expected not
only from Korea but also from Japan, other parts of South East Asia and America.
The World Festival of Island Cultures will also provide a wonderful showcase
for Harris Tweed to a worldwide audience in an area where there is a strong
possibility of new orders. South East Asia is a potentially lucrative market
for Harris Tweed and the economic benefits for the Western Isles of a healthy
Harris Tweed industry are well known.
In addition the Western Isles will have a Trade Booth at the Festival to promote
island art and craft products as well as marketing and advertising material.
The Comhairle has worked closely with the Harris Tweed Authority, the Western
Isles Tourist Board and the Enterprise Company on putting together this massive
promotional project for the islands”.
Tweed samples and products from the Harris Tweed Authority will be on display at the Trade Booth and there will be also be a live display of Harris Tweed production from a representative of the H.T.A.
Ian Angus MacKenzie, Chief Executive of the Harris Tweed Authority, said : "Harris Tweed is a product famous for its quality throughout the world and the Far East is recognised as a potentially very lucrative market. In recent times the Tweed industry has picked up thanks to some innovative marketing. It is important to continue that momentum and we are delighted to be taking part in this major event which will provide a world platform for Western Isles products including Harris Tweed."
In addition videos promoting the Western Isles will be featured, including Live Local - Work Global, Islands of Opportunity, Hebridean Splendour and Island Landscapes. Other promotional material will include posters, banners, photographs, Musical CDs and tee-shirts.
The Western Isles group of dancers, singers and musicians who will promote the cultural aspects of the Hebrides at the World Festival will be in Jeju for a period of three weeks. The cultural ambassadors are drawn from throughout the islands following adverts in the local press. The groups are expected to put on musical performances twice daily lasting 30 minutes.
Funding for the Western Isles participants has been provided in the main by the Koreans at an estimated cost of £100,000, although the Comhairle has agreed to contribute £10,000, the Foreign Office £6,000 and it is hoped that Western Isles Enterprise will also make a contribution.
Jeju island is located south-west of the South Korean Coast. It is considered the honeymoon capital of South East Asia and is one of the main tourist centres in the region. The island is oval shaped and is over 40 miles wide and 30 miles long from North to South. The population in the 1990s was around half a million people. Jeju is a volcanic island dominated by the extinct Volcano Island Mount Halla. The island is extremely picturesque and rich in historical sites.
The World Festival of Island Cultures runs from May 18th to June 17th 2001 and includes participants from East-Asia, South East Asia, the Pacific, the Indian Ocean and America. In addition to the Western Isles, other European island areas taking part are Sardinia, Cyprus, Hiiumaa (Estonia) and Mallorca (Spain).
Ends
Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk