Nicola Benedetti Calls For £100 Million In Scottish Funding

Violinist Nicola Benedetti, director of the Edinburgh International Festival, has appealed to the SNP Scottish government to fulfill its pledges to fund the arts, rather than reducing them by £6.6 million.

Benedetti stated: "It is the government's responsibility unless we start to think that arts and culture—encompassing all activities related to the psychological, mental, and emotional wellbeing and health of the nation, society, and individuals—are not a civic pillar we uphold. If we, as a nation, start to believe that, we are essentially changing our goalposts and identity.

"We're shifting away from the post-Second World War belief in a society that was becoming more equal and elevating civilization. If we don't consider it essential, then that's a significant identity shift. If we do consider it essential, then a portion of what’s raised in taxes and spent by the government should support the fabric of our life, what we call culture and art.

"We would allow the government to neglect this responsibility at our peril."