Homecoming 2009First Minister Alex Salmond this week unveiled the nationwide programme for "Homecoming 2009" which will include over 100 events to celebrate Scotland's first ever year of Homecoming. Inspired by the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's national bard, Robert Burns, Homecoming 2009 will be a celebration of the great contributions Scotland has made to the world. It's also a chance for Scots around the globe to reconnect and engage with their heritage. The programme of events has been organised around five main themes - the Bard himself, Whisky, Golf, Great Scottish Minds and Innovations and Scotland's culture and heritage. Highlights include a Burns 250th anniversary weekend, including a campaign to create the world's biggest "virtual Burns Supper" celebration. There is also an exhibition of contemporary art inspired by Burns, to be held in Glasgow's Mitchell Library, featuring works by John Byrne, Tracy Emin, Graham Fagen and David Mach. A celebration of the Caledonian Canal will involve a flotilla travelling the length of the canal from Fort William to Inverness.
During the year, The Open Golf Championship will return to Turnberry - and one of the largest clan gatherings in history will be held in Edinburgh.
Although home-grown events predominate, Forbes Magazine has announced plans to return to Scotland for the first time in nearly 100 years to host their annual European CEO Forum, an influential business conference. See also
http://www.homecomingscotland2009.com/
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