WINTER LIGHT NIGHT SET TO SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON DUNDEE

Programme unveiled for Homecoming Scotland Finale Celebrations

Dundee’s contemporary culture and innovative past will be illuminated in a free event being held as part of the nation’s Homecoming Scotland Finale Celebrations, and to mark the city’s new ‘One City, Many Discoveries’ identity.

A visual feast, set to mix audiovisual displays and music against a backdrop of street art, performances and story telling, Dundee’s Winter Light Night will take place on Friday 27th November 2009, beginning with a Torchlight Procession through the city centre and culminating with a fireworks display set to music.

Projections and lights will illuminate the city as visitors move around the city centre which will become the stage for the evening with the performance area stretching from the Wellgate, City Square/Overgate, McManus Galleries to the city’s Cultural Quarter.


A programme of entertainment will run throughout the evening with performances including contemporary circus outfit No Fit State, techno-ceilidh band The Grouse Beaters, the award-winning Puppet Lab and Dundee-based performance group Showcase the Street.

Visitors can also discover Dundee’s pioneering past with the Heritage Trail, and witness a dazzling reconstruction of how local inventor James Bowman Lindsay may have discovered incandescent light with a live Revealing Research demonstration.

Local performers from St John’s RC School and the Scottish Youth Dance Theatre will also be getting in on the act, and Margaret Mather’s Showtime is set to get feet tapping.

Winter Light Night celebrations will continue into the night with extended opening of the city’s cultural buildings including the DCA, Sensation Science Centre and Discovery Point, late night shopping and a host of venues holding special nights and events. Local radio stations Radio Tay and Wave 102 are also getting involved, broadcasting from the city centre on the night. Winter Light Night will also be the first showcase of the city’s 2009 Christmas lights.

Will Dawson convener of Dundee City Council's city development committee said: “Winter Light Night is a celebration of Dundee’s culture and Scotland’s heritage but also of our local community and our city’s ambition. The varied programme of Winter Light Night reflects today’s Dundee as a diverse and vibrant city. There will be something to suit all tastes, and everyone is invited. Come along and discover, or rediscover, Dundee.”

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer, EventScotland added: “Homecoming Scotland 2009 is an inspirational programme of events motivating people with Scottish ancestry, as well as those who simply love Scotland, to “Come Home”. 2009 has been a very special year for Scotland and the Finale Celebrations across the country are a fantastic way to end this momentous year. We are delighted that Dundee’s Winter Light Night is part of this exciting programme.”

Future announcements about Winter Light Night and additions to the programme will be available at www.dundee.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS

• Dundee's Winter Light Night is part of the Homecoming Scotland Finale Celebrations: Scotland’s Biggest Ever St Andrew’s Do. Running from 26th - 30th November, with more than 40 events and opportunities to visit some of Scotland’s major attractions for free across Scotland, full programme of activity is available at www.homecomingscotland2009.com  
• Dundee Winter Light takes place on Friday 27th November from 6pm. The event is open and free to all.
• Dundee Winter Light is expected to attract up to 25,000 visitors.
• The Homecoming Scotland Finale Celebrations herald the start of the winter festival season in Scotland, inviting visitors to extend their stay beyond the St Andrew’s weekend to sample the sights and sounds in a range of towns and cities.
• Homecoming Scotland 2009 is an inspirational programme of events running from Burns Night to St Andrew’s Day which motivates people with Scottish ancestry, as well as those who simply love Scotland, to “Come Home” in 2009.
• 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 further information:

Jackie Shuttleworth/Emily Moyes
Stripe Communications
0131 561 8628/ Dundee@stripecom.co.uk