Perth 800 celebrations off to a flyer

Jan 26 2010 by Alison Lowson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A FANTASTICALLY life-like, fire-breathing dragon provided a rip-snorting start to the Perth 800 celebrations.

The fire performance by Blast Design and medieval musical trio Gaita entertained 150 invited guests who attended the opening weekend reception at Perth Museum and Art Gallery.

The year-long Perth 800 celebration, which marks a historic anniversary for the Fair City, was officially launched by culture minister Fiona Hislop.

Ms Hislop cut the ribbon on the Skin and Bone: Life and Death in Medieval Perth Exhibition, heralding an opening weekend of celebrations.

She said: “On St Andrew’s Day 2009, the First Minister marked the end of the Year of Homecoming and the start of the Perth 800 celebrations by handing a Homecoming baton to Perth Provost John Hulbert.

“So I am delighted to mark the beginning of an exciting programme of events celebrating the 800th anniversary of the granting of the royal charter to Perth.

“Perth 800 is a superb year-long programme of events, representing a well-balanced mix of the old and new, and showcasing the Fair City’s vibrant artistic and cultural scene.”

Council bosses hope that Perth 800 will provide a springboard for their campaign to win city status for Perth. Explained Provost John Hulbert: “Tonight our year of celebrations and events to mark the 800th anniversary of the King William the Lion charter begins. It is an auspicious moment.

“Over the next year, there will be well over 100 events ‘badged’ as part of the Perth 800 line-up. Many of these are new events and many more are existing events that have been enhanced.

“Perth 800 is for everyone in Perth and Kinross and will be a wonderful showcase for business, community groups, arts, culture and sporting organisations.

“This is a historic anniversary and we want to welcome visitors from home and overseas, especially our twin towns and other Perths throughout the world.”