Blas international artistes play for thousands of Highland pupils

Issued by Lucid PR, Events and Marketing

Over 5000 Highland pupils are taking part in the Blas Festival’s Schools programme that has top Scottish music acts and international artistes from Cape Breton performing for three to eighteen year olds.

The programme takes the artistes, who are already playing at the Blas Festival (3rd-12th September), into the schools themselves. Pupils get the opportunity to hear about the culture, the Gaelic language, and listen to the music that Blas aims to keep alive in Highland communities.

The schools programme is delivered in collaboration with The Highland Council’s Arts Links Officer, Lynn Johnson. She said: “Our aim is to engage children and young people in the region during the Blas Festival and provide them with the opportunity to participate in high quality arts and cultural experiences. The programme also links well to the new ‘Curriculum for Excellence’ in schools as it enables pupils to experience the inspiration and power of the arts.

“Some of our events, such as walks by the council’s Rangers Service, are also open to the whole community.”

The latest event took place in Kingussie High with Cape Breton performers Goiridh Domhnallach, Rachel Davis and Buddy MacDonald performing for over 100 pupils and staff who fully enjoyed the show.

Councillor Michael Foxley, Leader of The Highland Council’s Administration, said: “This programme is being delivered in all areas of the region and underlines our strong commitment to the Gaelic language and culture of the Highlands. As well as attracting visitors from around the world, Blas and the schools programme provide our young people with exciting opportunities to take part in the arts, traditional music and reinforce the important historic and current links between the Highlands and Cape Breton.”

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