Foundation Hosts Ukrainian Delegation At Royal Highland Show

The first proper venture organised by the Friends of Ukraine (Scottish Foundation) was undertaken in June during the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston. The Foundation, in partnership with the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland and Scottish and Newcastle Breweries, arranged for a delegation of eight musicians and six craftspeople to participate in this year's Royal Highland Show.

The Royal Highland show is the largest agricultural show in the United Kingdom and is visited by in excess 156,000 visitors each year. The Ukrainian delegation's visit was most successful and attracted much interest from all the visitors to the show. The participation of the delegation at such a large event raised awareness of Ukraine and will certainly lead to further cooperation between Scotland and Ukraine.

The musicians, from Kyiv, played on several occasions during the four days of the show and the crafts people took part in the craft demonstration area of the show and staged displays of cross stitching, painting, straw craft, embroidery, and ceramics. The craft people also provided demonstrations of how to carry out their various crafts.

On the Monday after the Highland Show ended, the City of Edinburgh Council marked the Ukrainian delegation's visit by arranging a Civic Reception in the City Chambers. The reception, hosted by the Deputy Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, Councillor Steve Cardownie, was well attended and the company was entertained by the Ukrainian musicians. Councillor Cardownie, of course, is a strong supporter of the Foundation as his wife is Ukrainian.