A two-metre-tall EU star – representing the UK’s lost place in the EU and promoting a return to EU membership – is touring Scotland in November. The star was created by artist Jacques Tilly to promote European values. It highlights that the EU was founded after the Second World War as a way of cementing peace across Europe. It also symbolises the unity of peoples across all of Europe, whether an EU member or not.
“It’s a star of hope,” say the organisers.
The star’s tour began in the far south-east of England, in Canterbury, visiting London, Bristol and Cardiff. In Scotland, the star will be at the centre of events in Dumfries, Glasgow, Glenrothes, Edinburgh and Dundee.
Among the events taking place is a panel discussion on 18th November at Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries. The speakers are rural economic development expert, Tony Fitzpatrick; Gerry Hassan, writer and commentator; the Scottish Greens’ Laura Moodie and Ben Twist, former associate director at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh and artistic director at Manchester’s Contact Theatre.
Events highlighted by Glasgow’s EU Citizens Forum and public forums across Scotland
Glasgow will host the star in the City Chambers on 20th November, with the Lord Provost formally welcoming it to Glasgow. The day will also see the city launch a new Glasgow EU Citizens Forum. The public can view the star from the afternoon of 20th November until the end of Wednesday 22nd.
Stirling will host the star on 24th November. Local MPs Alyn Smith from the SNP, the LibDems Wendy Chamberlain and former Labour MEP Julie Ward will lead a public forum, organised by Stirling for Europe. The star will spend a day in Rothes Hall, Glenrothes on 25th November. In Dundee on 27th December a youth forum is being hosted in the City Chambers, from 2.30pm to 4pm.
Edinburgh hosts a cross-party welcome and Our Star public forum
The final Scottish destination for the star is Edinburgh. On 29th November it will stop at The Scottish Parliament to be met by MSPs from the cross-party group on Europe. Next comes a stop at the City Chambers. To mark the strength of the ties between Scotland and Europe, the star’s final duty will be at the centre of St Andrew’s Day at the City Chambers. Senior members of the European Movement in Scotland (EMiS) will greet distinguished guests to the City Chambers. Among the guests will be Susanne Oberhauser, the head of the European Parliament office in the London, and EMiS President Michael Russell. They will participate in an “Our Star” forum, to which members of the public are invited.
Our EU Star of hope is the symbol of a nation that overwhelmingly voted Remain
Jo Goodburn, vice-chair of the European Movement in Scotland, which has organised the Scottish leg of the star’s journey across the UK, says the star will mean a great deal to hundreds of thousands of Scots who mourn their loss of EU citizenship. Enormously important aspects of our lives have been damaged by Brexit, especially family ties and vitally important elements of our economic, cultural, agricultural and educational sectors.
“Scotland overwhelmingly voted to remain in the EU. Since the UK quit Europe pro-EU sentiment in Scotland has grown. The star will be a focus for ordinary Scots to express their belief in a united Europe.”
The European Movement in Scotland has members from all the main parties in Scottish politics. Many members are not members of any political party.
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