FAMOUS TAPESTRY IS CRIEFF COUP
Diaspora Tapestry will be exhibited in July
National treasure is to go on display
A national treasure will go on display in Crieff this summer.
The world- famous Diaspora Tapestry will be exhibited in July as part of the Strath capital’s Crieff Remembers programme of events to commemorate the First World War.
June McEwan of Crieff Arts Festival has secured the major artwork, which has just returned from a world tour and is currently on display in Westminster at the Houses of Parliament.
She told the Herald: “It is so wonderful to get the Diaspora Tapestry. It’s a partner to the Great Scottish Tapestry and is of national significance to Scotland.
“For Crieff to get the entire tapestry, to be shown at Morrison’s Academy, is a real coup and we are really proud to be displaying it.
“We are very grateful to our sponsors Crieff Succeeds BID who have pledged to pay for the exhibition.”
The tapestry’s designer Andrew Crummy, who also designed the Great Tapestry of Scotland, will also be coming to Crieff to give a talk at Innerpeffray Library about his work.
The tapestry involves 39 countries, and although it has been on a world tour, has never been shown in its entirety in its native land.
June added: “The Great Tapestry of Scotland is for Scotland but the Diaspora is for the whole world.
“It represents Scottish people who migrated to other countries, from the Clearances to the present day, who became famous after they emigrated.
“For such a small country we have had a big impact on the rest of the world.
“The tapestry is made up of 329 panels and there is an app you can get for your phone or tablet that shows you all the amazing stories surrounding each panel. It is very ‘on theme’ for today’s world.
“It will never be finished as new stories from different countries are appearing all the time and being added to the artwork.”
Ochil and Sou t h Perthshire SNP MP Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh has visited the Diaspora in London.
She said: “I’ve taken time to view this magnificent work in its current installation in Westminster Hall where it’s proving to be a big hit with visitors from across the world.
“It’s a fantastic coup for Crieff to bring this world- class exhibition to Strathearn this summer. It only adds to the great number of top quality tourist attractions on offer here, and so will hopefully attract and retain visitors to our local area, as well as serving as a piece of living history of which we can all be proud.
“The organisers of Crieff Remembers should take great credit for their success to date as we look forward to a memorable summer of events.”