Celtic Connections has returned to Glasgow, with the 2020 programme now under way.
More than 300 events will take place across the city, starting yesterday and lasting until February 2, with around 2000 musicians coming from as far afield as Canada, Senegal, Burma, Finland, India, Australia, Portugal and Mali.
On the first weekend, a 10-metre “sea goddess” puppet called Storm will walk through Glasgow city centre as the festival marks Scotland’s Year of Coasts.
Dubbed the country’s largest puppet, a team from Vision Mechanics will guide Storm from Victoria Bridge at 10am on Saturday before heading to the Merchant City, through George Square and up to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
Donald Shaw, Celtic Connections creative producer, said: “Over the next 18 days we will proudly showcase a rich array of unforgettable music – taking in local talent, international collaborations and inimitable artistic performances."
“We are a proudly outward-looking festival and this year’s programme sets out to excite audiences and illuminate the depth and diversity of musical talent across the globe.”
As part of the festival’s opening night, a new orchestral symphony inspired by the Declaration of Arbroath marked the 700th anniversary of the 1320 declaration of Scottish independence with six brand new pieces by leading Scottish composers.
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