Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles and islands represented by Argyll and Bute, North Ayrshire and Highland Councils all have the opportunity to participate in the year-long festival.
The aims of A Year of Island Cultures 2011 are to celebrate and showcase the range of diverse cultures found in the islands to the north and west of Scotland.
Councillor Dougie Philand, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for Arts, Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: “Argyll and Bute Council has always recognised the individuality of each of our islands.
“A Year of Island Cultures 2011 is a fabulous opportunity to celebrate not just island culture, but also the vibrant communities which make our islands so unique. We look forward to working with our partners in ensuring that this festival does justice to those communities.”
A Steering Committee with representation from the council areas involved has been tasked to engage with all the islands in the region, both to promote existing events outside the region and to organise new events and activities which build cultural links between the islands.
Shetland, a host port for the Tall Ships Races in 2011, is acting as the lead Council for the project.
Convener Sandy Cluness expressed his delight on the arrangement, “We now have a unique opportunity to work with all the islands in the region to celebrate all our different cultures and to show the world how vibrant our communities are.”
The idea for A Year of Islands Cultures 2011 emerged from a debate at the Convention of the Highlands and Islands in 2008, when Government ministers encouraged the islands to create a festival that promotes the culture of Islands in the Highlands and Islands region.
Douglas Irvine, spokesperson for the Steering Committee, said that work has begun to put together a detailed plan for A Year of Island Cultures 2011, including the promotional activities.
The Steering Committee will meet this month to set up a programme of tasks.
