SCOTLAND'S second Festival of Europe is to focus on the rise of the far-right across the continent and Donald Trump's global order changes.
The event, backed by the European Movement in Scotland and a range of other organisations, is being held at the French Institute in Edinburgh, on May 10 and 11.
The key theme of the two-day event is "the Future of European Democracy”.
The festival comes at a time when far-right parties are on the rise across Europe and as Donald Trump’s administration changes the global order that has been in place since the end of World War Two.
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“The world is more unstable today than at any time in the past 80 years," Mark Lazarowicz, one of the conference organisers and a former Edinburgh MP, said.
He added: "There are powerful political forces at work here, in Europe, the USA and globally that want to tear down the institutions and ideas that have brought freedom, dignity, security and stability to millions.
“We have assembled an outstanding cast of speakers who will explain where we are now and look at how we can keep democracy healthy in Europe.”
Among the issues to be discussed are proposals to revitalise the European project of political and economic integration, how the EU should respond to hard right politics, how political parties and civil society can strengthen liberal democracy and what the prospects for closer ties between Scotland, the UK and the EU.
A conference session will look at how recommendations from a recent report on how the future of European competitiveness can be implemented, as well as the implications of Trump for economies across Europe, including Scotland and the UK.
MSP Clare Adamson and Alistair Mackie, chief executive of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, will look at progress on the Face the Music campaign.
Brexit has meant that artists, performers and technical specialists who support performers have lost significant income and bookings across Europe.
To book tickets for The Future of European Democracy Conference, click here. Tickets are also available for all the other events taking place.
Several other events are being held across Scotland to mark Europe Day, including; Edinburgh performances by award winning singer Christine Bovill; walking tours in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Fife that will look at Scotland’s historic ties with Europe; a Europe-themed party held by the Pentland Ukrainian Support Group (PUSG); and a conference looking at the issues and challenges facing EU citizens in Scotland.
