That the Parliament congratulates all those involved in the staging of the hugely successful four-night art and light spectacular, illumination: Harbour Festival of Light, which took place in Irvine at the Maritime Museum and the harbourside from 30 November to 3 December 2016; understands that the event was attended by more than 15, 000 visitors and that this innovative and exciting festival and art and light spectacular became the latest addition to Scotland’s Winter Festivals programme, and included highlights such as a water-themed sculpture trail of brightly-coloured origami boats and butterflies hand-crafted by the international art studio, Aether & Hemera, firework displays and aerial acrobatics performances; notes that the festival was launched to celebrate the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016, and that the St Andrew’s Day launch saw a Saltire blazing across the night sky in a pyrotechnic display over the harbour, helping to celebrate the country’s history, culture and heritage; thanks all of the funding partners that have made this event possible, including Creative Scotland, North Ayrshire Council and Arts & Business Scotland, and hopes, following what it considers such an outstandingly successful first event, that the festival will become a regular feature of North Ayrshire’s cultural calendar.
SNP Member of the Scottish Parliament for Cunninghame South
Ruth Maguire MSP 