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15th October 2007

The Global Horizons festival

Music, dance and visual art will be key elements in a three-day international festival next week which celebrates the cultural diversity of Edinburgh's student population.

The Global Horizons festival - which takes place at the University of Edinburgh from Tuesday (16 October) until Friday - will feature jazzy sounds from Senegal, belly-dancing from the Middle East and a performance of Brazilian martial arts.

The festival will also include a series of topical debates on global themes and talks by leading experts on international relations. It will also highlight the range of international study opportunities open to Scots students. Many of the festival events will be open to the public.

One in four of the University's students now come from outside of the UK. There are 6,000 international students at the University, representing more than 140 different countries. Around 80 nationalities are represented across the University's 8,000 staff.

Director of The British Council Scotland, Roy Cross, has welcomed the event. He said: "It promotes the need for greater international dialogue, exchange and understanding. The event also seeks to develop the international outlook of UK students - something which will be key to the future prosperity and success of our country in a global economy."

The University's Principal, Professor Timothy O'Shea, said: "In an increasingly globalised world, it is vitally important that our students are equipped with the knowledge and opportunities to develop as global citizens."

For further information please contact:
Kirsty Gillies, University of Edinburgh International Office Tel: 07866 067 928
Visit the Global Horizons website

Source: University of Edinburgh International Office