Celtic Connections
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The Celtic Connections festival started in 1994 in Glasgow, Scotland, and has since been held every January.
The cream of Celtic music talent from around the globe will flock to Glasgow for the 14th annual Celtic Connections festival in 2007. Over almost three weeks, the city will be alive with the sound of modern Celtic rock, dance, big bands, choral performances, international folk superstars, theatre and traditional pipe bands and ceilidhs.
In 1994 the first Celtic Connections festival was launched in just one venue attracting around 32,000 people to attend. In its 13th year (2006), over 100,000 people filled 10 venues seeing hundreds of artists brought to Glasgow from every part of the globe.
[edit] The festival and artists
Celtic Connections brings in visitors from throughout the world and is an integral and vibrant part of cultural life in Glasgow, with the economic impact on the city now exceeding £4 million during the normally quiet post Christmas period. The festival actively promotes artistic links and cultural exchange across countries, reinforced by Showcase Scotland which last year brought 160 international delegates looking to book Scottish bands for festivals abroad.
The festival continues not only to focus on the roots of traditional Scottish music but also features some of the most prominent names in roots and world music. Artists who have appeared at the festival in the past include include Joan Baez, Bob Geldof, Capercaillie, Kate Rusby, Sinéad O'Connor, Alison Krauss, Shane MacGowan, Runrig, Eddi Reader, Evelyn Glennie, Carlos Nunez, James Grant,Dougie MacLean, Billy Bragg, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Mariza and many many more.
In February 2004, Celtic Connections was presented with The Good Tradition Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in recognition of its exceptional contribution to traditional music and culture. The festival also recently picked up a Nordoff Robbins Tartan Clef Award.
The focal point of the festival is the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, where performances take place in every space – from workshops in the foyers, to performances by world-class artists in the Main Auditorium - and it also regularly hosts concerts in The Piping Centre, The Barrowlands, The Arches, Tron Theatre, Tramway and Glasgow Cathedral.
At the core of the festival is the Education Programme, which sees thousands of children attend free morning concerts experiencing live music ranging from Burns to spiritual and blues. Celtic Connections also continues to play a vital role in fostering new and young talent through its Young Tradition and Master & Apprentice series of concerts.
