Alan Cumming returns to the Edinburgh Festivals in the Year of Homecoming
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Alan Cumming OBE, Scottish star of screen and stage, has returned to the Edinburgh Summer Festivals in support of Scotland’s first Year of Homecoming, marking the 250th birthday of Robert Burns.
The long-standing friend of the Edinburgh Festivals has returned for the Fringe launch weekend to enjoy the Festivals where he began his career 25 years ago.
During Homecoming year, the Edinburgh Festivals will see many famous Festival names return to their artistic home to join Scotland’s national celebrations. Homecoming themes and special events and performances will also run through the festivals’ programmes. From the Edinburgh International Festival to the Edinburgh Mela, The Edinburgh International Book Festival to the Tattoo, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to the Edinburgh Art Festival, there’s a warm Homecoming welcome for all.
Alan Cumming was starting out on his career in the early 1980s when he appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe as one half of the double act ‘Victor and Barry’. Since then the James Bond and X-Men star has returned to the Edinburgh Festivals many times. In 1986 he made his film debut in Gillies McKinnon’s ‘Passing Glory’ at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, and he has returned to the film festival throughout the years, most recently as an international juror in 2009 with his film ‘Boogie Woogie’. He also appeared at the Edinburgh International Festival in the National Theatre of Scotland’s production of ‘The Bacchae’ in 2007.
Alan Cumming said:
“I’m delighted to be back in Edinburgh during the year of Homecoming, to enjoy the great Edinburgh Festivals. I've been coming to the festivals for more years than I care to, or indeed do, remember - but this year is the most special and I'm glad to be a part of it.”
Alan Cumming will also appear in a new portrait exhibition celebrating emigration, internationalism and Scottish impact abroad at the National Museum of Scotland to mark the Year of Homecoming 2009. Salt of the Earth features over 20 contemporary photographs, by acclaimed photographer Craig Mackay, of key personalities who have made a unique contribution to the image of Scotland at home and internationally. The exhibition opens on 16 October 2009.
For further information and images, please contact:
Minty Woolgar
VisitScotland
0131 472 2337
minty.woolgar@visitscotland.com
Notes to Editors
• Homecoming 2009 is a programme of events throughout the year marking Robert Burns 250th birthday and celebrating Scotland’s great contributions to the word, including whisky, golf, innovation, heritage, and cultural contributions such as the world famous Edinburgh summer festivals. For more information go to www.homecomingscotland2009.com
• Homecoming Scotland 2009 aims to engage Scots at home as well as motivate people of Scottish descent and those who simply love Scotland, to take part in an inspirational celebration of our culture, heritage and some of the many great contributions Scotland has given to the world.
• Homecoming Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government and is managed by EventScotland the national events agency in partnership with VisitScotland, the country’s national tourism agency.
• Homecoming is part financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund. For more information on Homecoming Scotland please visit: www.homecomingscotland2009.com
• Exclusive footage of Alan Cumming talking about his love of Edinburgh can be seen on the newly launched Edinburgh Festivals website www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk
• For further information or images on Salt Of The Earth at the National Museum of Scotland, tel. (0131) 247 4288 or email h.dolby@nms.ac.uk. Website www.nms.ac.uk