The events of the program «St.Petersburg in Scotland» were held in Edinburgh and Paisley on April 1 through 4, 2009.
Organizers: Committee for External Relations of St.Petersburg, Committee for Culture, Committee for Investments and Strategic Projects, St.Petersburg Association for International Cooperation, International association of Teachers of Russian Language and literature (MAPRYAL), with the assistance of St.Petersburg Legislative Assembly, «Russian World» foundation, City Council of Edinburgh and Renfrewshire, Institute «Scotland–Russia», «St.Petersburg Forum» (Paisley), and Reid-Kerr College.
Further to the the agreements reached during the visit of G. Grubb, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, to St.Petersburg, following events of the program were held in Edinburgh on April 2, 2009:
• at the City Council of Edinburgh, the presentation of «Virtual Affiliation of Russian Museum» was given for the curators of museums of Edinburgh;
• at Scotland national centre of dance «Dancebase», the exhibition of copies of photos was opened, owing to the collection of St.Petersburg State Museum of Theatrical and Musical Arts and devoted to the centenary of Russian Seasons by S. Diaghilev;
• at the Institute «Scotland–Russia», the representatives of the International Association of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature lectured for the Scottish students and teachers of Russian;
• at the Merchants-Hall in Edinburgh, a concert of soloists of the Mariinsky Theatre was performed;
• at the City Council of Edinburgh, there was a meeting devoted to sharing the experience in the area of state–private partnership.
During the visit to the Scottish Capital, the delegation of St.Petersburg met with Trish Goodman, Deputy Presiding Officer of the Parliament; Michael Russell, Minister for Culture, External Affairs and Constitution; and the members of cross-party group concerning Russia.
During a meeting with G. Grubb, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, the parties discussed the prospects of bilateral cooperation in business and humanitarian areas.
The program of St.Petersburg proceeded in Paisley on April, 3. Presentation of «Virtual Affiliation of Russian Museum», a lecture on Russian language, and a concert of soloists from Mariinsky Theatre were rendered in Reid-Kerr College. For St.Petersburg delegation, the students of Reid-Kerr College prepared a presentation on the college that included a movie about St.Petersburg and Paisley, as well as a concert of students of Faculty of Arts at the college.
Also, the meeting with Celia Lawson, Provost of Renfrewshire, and representatives of Renfrewshire City Council took place, in the course of which the prospects of bilateral contacts in the areas of economy and education were discussed.
The St.Petersburg program in Paisley was finalized with a meeting with the representatives of public organization «St.Petersburg Forum».
«St.Petersburg Forum» have been working in Paisley for 15 years, and traditionally participates in running the «Days of Scotland in St.Petersburg»; promotes cooperation of educational and public organizations of both cities, such as Reid-Kerr College, Petrovskiy College, and Economy and Technology College of Alimentation; carries out charitable programs for youth – in particular, implements the program «English in Action» along with the St.Petersburg Association for International Cooperation; and grants a trip to Scotland for three winners of «Do You Know Scotland?» competition within the confines of «Days of Scotland».
Source: Committee for External Relations of St.Petersburg