Celtic Connections unveil starry line-up taking to stage in 2020
A GLASGOW music and arts festival have revealed their stellar line-up for next year’s event.
Celtic Connections 2020 has unveiled plans for some 300 events across the city as part of the UK’s premier celebration of Celtic music.
The event takes place from January 16 to February 2 and will welcome well-known acts such as Eddi Reader, Karine Polwart, Frazey Ford and Sturgill Simpson.
Europe’s largest winter music festival will also strike a rousing note when it opens with the world premiere of a new orchestral symphony inspired by the Declaration of Arbroath.
Composed of six brand new pieces by leading Scottish composers, it was commissioned for Celtic Connections 2020 with backing from the Scottish Government.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Scotland is once again looking forward to welcoming people from around the world to Celtic Connections, one of the world’s largest winter music festivals, which never fails to bring light to the dark winter months.
“The focus this year on cross-cultural collaboration is perfect for Scotland, an openhearted, creative nation that warmly receives people from all backgrounds.
“In the year of the 700th anniversary, it is also particularly fitting that the centrepiece will be a symphony celebrating the Declaration of Arbroath.
“With funding from the Scottish Government’s EXPO fund, this performance will help to raise the profile of one of the defining moments in Scottish history.”
Renowned as a musical cure for the wintertime blues, Celtic Connections 2020 will be the 27th incarnation of a festival that began in 1994, when it offered 66 events at one venue.
Since then it’s grown more adventurous, experimental and diverse each year and now offers thousands of events in locations across Glasgow.
There will also be Scandinavian flavour to this year’s festival.
Each year since 2000, Celtic Connections has partnered with a different country to create new international links and advance opportunities for their musicians.
For 2020, that international partner will be Finland, and in Glasgow this winter, both leading and emerging Finnish artists will feature at Celtic Connections in association with Music Finland.
Councillor David McDonald, chair of Glasgow Life,
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on Facebook or Twitter said: “Its hugely diverse, wildly entertaining events appeal to a very wide range of people, and every January, Glasgow is proud to welcome international, UK and of course Scottish, musicians and audiences to our worldclass venues.
“The festival is a hugely important asset to Glasgow. Celtic Connections really is the best ceilidh in the world.
“It brings vibrancy and music into the heart of our city, and our lives, and this year’s programme is the most exciting yet.
“I can’t wait for January.”