BREXIT could pose a major threat to Scotland's world-class festivals, an MSP has warned.
The SNP's Sandra White pointed to the looming threat posed by Brexit as the 25th Celitc Connections takes place in Glasgow – which generates more than £7 million for the Scottish economy each year.
Answering a question in Holyrood, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “We know that the UK’s current visa system already puts in place significant cost and administrative barriers to non-EU artists bringing their work to the festivals.
"Expanding those barriers to artists from the rest of the EU could have a devastating impact, on both the economic and the cultural impact of the festivals.”
Celtic Connections director Donald Shaw warned that without EU funding "maybe a dozen shows a year in our programme" would not have happen, and said the impact of the fall in the pound on the festival's buying power has already led to a 20 per cent reduction in the number of overseas artists.
Shaw added that he was concerned new entry visa requirements "would be a big logistical nightmare and financial headache" for the event.
SNP MSP Sandra White said: “The clue is in the name of Celtic Connections – its ethos of connecting and sharing to the benefit of both our economy and our culture reflects that of the EU.
“The Tories’ Brexit is out of tune with Celtic Connections, which generates over £7 million for the Scottish economy each year. It will strip Scottish culture of EU funding, freedom of movement and the general sense of international collaboration that is pertinent to the culture sector.
“Protecting Scotland’s place in the European Union is essential for performers who believe, overwhelmingly, that closing borders will not only damage a touring musician’s livelihood, but will weaken our economy and our culture. EU citizens are not only performers, they are bums on seats in audiences across Scotland throughout the year.
“The Scottish Government supported this festival that does so much to promote our global reputation for cultural excellence with more than half a million pounds this year."
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