Arran International Festival

I have strong ties to the Island of Arran, going back to my childhood. As a professional Opera singer I travel all over Europe singing in music festivals, all of which extol the virtues of their locations for arts events - and I have always thought that none of them offer more in terms of natural beauty, atmosphere and location than the Isle of Arran.

Our festival’s aims are to celebrate Arran’s rich natural and cultural heritage, to promote cultural exchange by bringing leading international artists to the island and to include the local community in the creative process. There’s a wealth of local talent, creativity and culture on Arran and a key part of the annual festival programme will be the celebration of this local talent, with performances by both young and established local musicians alike

What I love about music and art is the power they have to bring people together, across borders. To me, our festival is about getting across borders in a world where so many lines are being drawn in the sand. Since I met with local leaders and members of the community on Arran last year, there has been great, proactive enthusiasm and support for this idea. And I hope that together we can make something beautiful for this extraordinary island of Arran, an annual music festival with huge potential to develop and grow in the years to come.

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Richard Morrison

Festival Director