Culture Minister attends Ulster Scots consultation seminar

Speaking at a public seminar in Lisburn Civic Centre, the Minister said “The Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture is a valuable part of our shared cultural heritage.”

A draft Development and Research Strategy and associated Grants Scheme for the Ministerial Advisory Group - Ulster-Scots Academy, known as MAGUS, went out to public consultation on 15 October.

The public consultation event, organised in association with the Ulster-Scots Community Network, took place this evening at The Civic Centre, in Lisburn. A further event is to take place on Thursday, 15 November, at 8pm at The Silverbirch Hotel, in Omagh.

The Minister added: “The purpose of the consultation is to seek views and feedback on the content of the draft Strategy and associated grant scheme which includes the rationale for the Ulster-Scots Academy approach, its vision, mission, and strategic objectives.

“The aim of the draft Strategy and the associated grant scheme is to promote development and research and to identify financial support for discrete projects under three streams of activity: Language and Literature; History, Heritage and Culture; Education and Research.

“I would encourage people to come out to these events to become more informed about the consultation so that they can respond before December 7, 2012.”