Richard Demarco, the Scottish artist, academic, impresario and public intellectual was presented with the award of Scottish European of the Year for 2025 at a ceremony at the Scottish Parliament on 2 December. The presentation was made by Angus Robertson MSP, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture.
The Scottish European of the Year award is voted for by members of the European Movement in Scotland. Richard Demarco topped this year’s poll, beating distinguished nominees from media and politics.
Mr Robertson said:
“I am delighted to be able to make this presentation to Richard Demarco, who has for decades been making an outstanding contribution to Scotland’s engagement with European culture.
“I am also thrilled to see that he is continuing to remain active and contribute to Scotland’s presence in the cultural landscape of Europe.”
The certificate awarded to Mr Demarco says:
“In recognition of his lifelong commitment to European culture, his championing of the values of free expression through the Arts, his numerous contributions to enriching the cultural life of Edinburgh and Scotland, his internationalism and his belief in unity and peace across Europe.”
Richard Demarco said:
“I thank the members of the European Movement in Scotland for this award and for lightening my spirits in these too often dark times.
“I have never been in doubt, given the entire history of Scotland, particularly as I take the Declaration of Arbroath as proof, that Scotland is distinctly part of Europe.”
An Edinburgh teenager during the Second World War, Demarco says a miracle came to his native city. It was the first Edinburgh Festival. “It was an expression of the flowering of the best instincts of the human race.”
“When the Festival started in Edinburgh in 1947, I thought that the city could be not only the capital of Scotland but the cultural capital of the world. It brought the world’s greatest musicians, actors, singers, dancers, playwrights, poets, authors and artists to my home” says Demarco.
Now halfway through his 95th year, you’d think Demarco might be slowing down. You’d be wrong. He’s looking forward with great relish to the 80th Edinburgh International Festival in 2026. He wants to see it as a celebration and an affirmation of European ideals and philosophy, logic, creativity and, above all, of truth.
As if energised by being voted 2025’s Scottish European of the Year, he says that during the three weeks of next year’s Festival he will challenge every performer and every Scot and ask “Why are you not a member of the European Movement in Scotland?” You’d better have a good answer when he asks you.
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