As part of the national ‘Our Star’ tour, the European Movement in Scotland (EMiS) is hosting events around the country to celebrate European unity and to raise awareness of the negative impact of Brexit on our society, our economy and on our youngest citizens.
“The ‘Our Star’ project was founded by two pro-EU campaigners to provide a physical symbol or talisman of the UK’s lost place in the EU; they asked artist Jacques Tilly to create a large star to promote European values, with an emphasis on peace and unity. A few weeks ago, the Star left its home at the European Parliament in Brussels and has been touring across the UK with a campaign called ‘Choosing our Future’. More information about Our Star, and the campaign, can be found at www.OurStar.org.uk or www.choosingourfuture.uk.
The Star is due to arrive in Scotland shortly, and we would love you to come and see it at one of the many events organised by the European Movement in Scotland in partnership with local groups.
Our first event will be in Dumfries on the 18th of November at the Easterbrook Hall. South West Scotland for Europe have invited a panel of speakers to come together to explore Scotland future in Europe. For more information and tickets click here.
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.
On the 20th of November the Star will be in Glasgow, welcomed to the city by the Lord Provost, and will be on public display for four days. So you can pop into the City Chambers and grab a photo. On the 20th we will also be supporting the launch of the new Glasgow EU Citizens Forum.
At 4 pm on the 24th ‘Our Star’ will touch down in Stirling. Stirling for Europe has been working hard to arrange a public forum event featuring MPs Alyn Smith (SNP) and Wendy Chamberlain (Lib Dem) as well as former MEP Julie Ward (Labour). Free tickets for this conversation on our future in Europe can be booked here.
The following day, the 25th the Star will be on public display at the Rothes Hall in Glenrothes from 10 am to 4 pm. Pop along and meet the team from Fife for Europe, grab a selfie with the star, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #OurStarInScotland
On the 27th of November, the Star will shine in Dundee at the ‘Our Star’ youth forum at Dundee City Chambers between 2:30 pm and 4 pm. Local politicians will be on hand to meet with local students to hear from them how they would like to see Scotland and the UK’s place in Europe around the themes of economy, society, environment, governance and global affairs.
The Star will end its trek in Edinburgh, stopping at the Scottish Parliament on the 29th before visiting the City Chambers.
On St Andrews Day, we will welcome guests including Susanne Oberhauser, the head of the European Parliament office in the UK and EMiS President Michael Russell to a special ‘Our Star’ forum.
A programme of events of this size and scale is only possible thanks to the support of our local volunteers and through your generous donations. If you can please consider making a donation to EMiS funds to help us arrange more events like this in the future – highlighting the damage of Brexit and helping to build our campaign.
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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We hope that the visit of ‘Our Star’ will help light Scotland’s Way back to the heart of Europe.
The European Movement in Scotland is committed to promoting the essential European value of free speech. Consequently, we regularly publish articles by leading academics, journalists and others discussing issues germane to Scotland’s place in Europe. Such articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Movement in Scotland.
