NEWS
There’s nothing vile about Scotland’s cultural scene
Scottish art is inclusive and accessible while still celebrating tradition, argues Rebecca Monks
Alasdair Gray
‘S cotland’s cultural scene is becoming vile, venal and parochial’. Or, at least that’s what the headline for James MacMillan’s piece in The Spectator (published online 13 Aug), says. It’s not exactly sitting on the fence, is it?
MacMillan argues that Scottish artists should aim to transcend and transform, instead of colluding with politicians and embracing venality. He references the move to teach more Scottish literature in schools, the way that Scottish critics interact with Scottish work, and he dredges up once again the controversial words of Alasdair Gray, whose ‘settlers and colonists’ essay on English people north of the border was widely disagreed with.
Ultimately, MacMillan asks us to consider whether, in the current arts climate, ‘is it still anglophile vs anglophobe? Is it still class vs class?’. As an English woman, living in Scotland and working in the arts and culture sector, I can tell you that in my opinion, the answer is a resounding no. One thing that struck me, is that the headline on MacMillan’s article doesn’t exactly marry with the points he was making. If Scotland’s cultural scene was really becoming as vile and parochial as he fears, then why mostly cite events from pre-2014? MacMillan worries over the 2012 policy change to introduce more Scottish literature to schools. Gray made his ‘settlers’ remarks in 2012, but MacMillan brings up writer and pro-independence i gure Kevin Williamson for being a ‘defender’ of Gray’s anyway. The signii cance of these events is not lost in three of four years, but what MacMillan overlooks is that they all happened pre-referendum, when the idea of
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Scottish identity was something with which the arts was engaging. Put simply, that’s because the whole country was engaging with it. It’s not that there was necessarily a distinction being made between Scottish and non-Scottish works in a hurtful way, it’s just that if you are asking a country to decide if it can be independent, surely working out where its art scene stands independently is an important issue. Post-referendum, the independence debate is still prevalent, and has i ltered through to the arts. Good. Political and artistic connections should not be resented. Dismissing key cultural i gures such as Alan Bissett as ‘one of the emerging court jesters of the new political establishment’ (which MacMillan does), is damaging, because it devalues his position as a writer of four novels and an impressive collection of plays. Kevin Williamson is known as a key political voice, and is vice-convenor of the Scottish Independence Convention, but he’s also a well-respected poet, writer and publishing i gure, and it is his artistic right to express an opinion. It doesn’t make him a mouthpiece, it makes him a writer with thoughts and beliefs, and a right to express them. I don’t have to agree with them to respect their art. I am an English writer at this publication, but have also worked on plays, gigs and performances in Edinburgh. Not once in nine years have I felt as though the arts scene here is in any way ‘tartaned’. Scotland’s cultural scene is not becoming vile, venal and parochial: it is inclusive while celebrating tradition, and I am proud to work in a country where art engages with politics as much as people do.
COMING UP • BLOODY SCOTLAND Literary festival celebrating crime writing and all things tartan noir. See preview, page 47. Various venues, Stirling, Fri 9–Sun 11 Sep.
• TAKE ONE ACTION FILM FESTIVAL Politically slanted i lm festival, founded on the belief that ‘cinematic experiences can inspire lasting change’. See feature, page 14. Various venues, Edinburgh & Glasgow, Wed 14–Sun 25 Sep.
• SCOTTISH QUEER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Or, happily, SQIFF. Four days of i lm screenings, workshops and parties. CCA, Glasgow, Thu 29 Sep–Sun 2 Oct. • LUMINATE: SCOTLAND’S CREATIVE AGEING FESTIVAL Country–wide festival offering arts activities for older people, as well as events for audiences and participants of all ages. Various venues, Scotland, Sat 1–Mon 31 Oct.
• OKTOBERFEST Drink beer, eat bratwurst and have a right old knees- up at this traditional and much–loved beer festival. See feature, page 31. Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, Wed 5–Sun 9 Oct.
• SCOTLAND LOVES ANIME Festival showcasing the latest Japanese animation with talks from experts. See preview, page 54. Various venues, Scotland, Mon 10–Sun 23 Oct.
• BOTANIC LIGHTS Follow light installations around the Botanic Gardens, and see nature illuminated in new ways. Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Thu 13 Oct–Sun 6 Nov.
• AFRICA IN MOTION FILM FESTIVAL Film festival showing the diversity of African cinema. Various venues, Scotland, Sat 21–Sun 30 Oct. • SAMHUINN FIRE FESTIVAL Welcomes in the Celtic New Year, and marks the end of summer. Various venues, Edinburgh, Mon 31 Oct.