Backward move for city’s culture

The dust had barely settled over Aberdeen City Council’s shock decision to withdraw funding from one of its biggest cultural events of the year when the incendiary effect re-ignited in spectacular style.

Clearly incensed by the decision, the chairman of Aberdeen Festivals, of which the now threatened Aberdeen International Youth Festival (AIYF) is the flagship, lashed out at council members.

Two days earlier, it emerged that the council was in the process of pulling the plug on its £150,000 funding for AIYF. The event looks doomed unless public opinion is galvanised or other sponsors can be found to fill the void.

Festivals chairman

Steve Harris accused the decision-makers at the council of “trashing” the city’s reputation in the eyes of its cultural peers across Scotland.

Most of the vitriol was aimed at the “pygmies that pose as our elected representatives”. Mr Harris also advised the council to forget about clinging to aspirations to become UK City of Culture in 2025 after pulling the rug under one of its biggest cultural events – synonomous with the city globally for more than 40 years. In response, the council defended plans to develop local youth projects instead.

In the context of City of Culture, one cannot help feeling that this decision will be viewed as a parochial move – a shot in the foot which might scupper its chances.

“Trashing thecity’s reputation intheeyes ofitscultural peers across Scotland”