Festivals look ahead to Scotland’s Year of Young People

Always looking to the future, Edinburgh's Festivals are gearing up for 2018 and Scotland’s Year of Young People.

As Scotland's Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology comes to a close, the Festivals are looking to the future to celebrate the personalities and talents that make up Scotland.

The 2018 Year of Young People will be a year-long programme, giving young people in Scotland an opportunity to show the world what they are made of.

Culture is one of six themes which will shape the year’s activities - the others being, Education, Participation, Enterprise and Regeneration, Health and Wellbeing and Equality and Discrimination - with young people encouraged to share, develop and celebrate their talents in the arts.

One event announced for the start Scotland's Year of Young People is the Torchlight Procession at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. 

During the finale of the Procession a #ScotWord, chosen by Scotland’s 8-26-year olds in response to the question ‘What makes you most proud to live in Scotland?’, will be spelt out using the event's dramatic firelit torches. 

Scottish singer/songwriter Nina Nesbitt is leading the project, and gathered ideas from young people across the country throughout autumn and winter 2017, and discusses the project in the below video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqeZN3C9K7Q

Edinburgh’s major festivals keenly support young participants and audiences, and in 2018 they will be marking Scotland's Year of Young People with extra special events and moments to inspire and involve 8-26 year olds from across Scotland.

Scotland's Year of Young People runs throughout 2018 and more information can be found at www.yoyp2018.scot

Edinburgh's Hogmanay runs from 30 December 2017 to 1 January 2018 and tickets for most events are on sale now. Find out more about Edinburgh's Hogmanay. 

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