A STAR symbolising the UK’s "lost place in the EU" will arrive in Scotland in under two weeks, with events being held up and down the country.
As part of the national Our Star tour, the European Movement in Scotland (EMiS) is hosting events to celebrate European unity.
The Our Star project was founded by two pro-EU campaigners to provide a physical symbol or talisman of the UK’s lost place in the EU. Artist Jacques Tilly was asked to create the star to promote European values, with an emphasis on peace and unity.
Tilly has made two stars: One that is 2m tall and mounted on a trolley for public display, and a smaller 1m-tall tall star, which can be suspended at stalls and used at events.
The stars have previously been seen in Canterbury, London, Bristol and Cardiff.
The first event in Scotland will be in Dumfries on Saturday, November 18 at the Easterbrook Hall.
South West Scotland for Europe has invited a panel of speakers including director of the University of Glasgow’s Crichton Institute Tony Fitzpatrick, writer and National columnist Gerry Hassan, national council co-convener of the Scottish Greens Laura Moodie, and director of Creative Carbon Scotland Ben Twist. Tickets are available here.
On Monday, November 20 the star will be in Glasgow, welcomed to the city at 11am by the Lord Provost at a civic reception. It will be on public display for four days.
The public can go into the City Chambers at George Square. On the Monday, EMiS will support the launch of the new Glasgow EU Citizens Forum.
At 4pm on November 24, the star will arrive in Stirling where local group Stirling for Europe has arranged a public forum event featuring SNP MP Alyn Smith and LibDem MP Wendy Chamberlain, as well as former Labour MEP Julie Ward. Tickets can be booked here.
The star will be on public display at the Rothes Hall in Glenrothes from 10am to 4pm on November 25, with Fife for Europe set to campaign during the visit.
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From Dundee 2.30pm until 4pm on November 26, a youth forum will be held at Dundee City Chambers. Local representatives are set to meet with local students to hear from them how they would like to see Scotland and the UK’s place in Europe around the themes of economy, society, environment, governance and global affairs.
The star will end its 2023 trek in Edinburgh, stopping at the Scottish Parliament on November 29 for a welcome by the cross-party group on Europe before visiting the City Chambers.
On St Andrews Day, EMiS will welcome guests including Susanne Oberhauser, the head of the European Parliament office in the London, and EMiS President Michael Russell to an Our Star forum.
"We are looking forward to welcoming Our Star to Scotland,” said David McDonald, the membership and campaigns co-ordinator for EMiS.
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He added: “From events focused on the environment and the rural economy in Dumfries, to a youth forum in Dundee and the launch of a new EU citizens forum in Glasgow, the star will draw people together to discuss our future.
“The star is also bringing politicians from different parties together, sharing a stage and overcoming their policy differences as they believe that Scotland's future is European.
“We hope these events will encourage everyone to reflect on our vital relationship with Europe and inspire action towards rekindling our relationship with the EU.
“The tour will be an opportunity for people to join our campaign, share their voice, and be a part of the movement to shape a brighter, more connected future. By coming together, we can light Scotland's way back to the EU and our European family."
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