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Heritage and Identity - Who do we want to be?

A lively, soul-searching debate is set to take place at the EICC on the eve of St Andrew's night as high-profile experts and media commentators gather to explore the issue of identity.

Chaired by Muriel Gray, top-class speakers including Tom Devine, Lesley Riddoch, Gary Younge, Murray Grigor, Fred Macauley and Donnie Munro will offer a series of academic and light-hearted perspectives on 'Who Do We Want to Be?'.

The conference is being held by the Heritage Lottery Fund to stimulate a nationwide discussion exploring the relationship between heritage and identity.

With 300 guests from the fields of heritage, culture, government and social science, questions such as 'Does identity instil confidence or create conflict?','Does heritage hold us back or take us forward?', 'Does language unify or divide?' and 'Can different religious and cultural differences contribute to a cohesive national identity?' will be hotly debated.

Commenting on the event, Liz Forgan, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said:

"This is shaping up to be a very exciting event. Scots are very proud of their identity and most have a strong opinion about it. Providing a forum in which to discuss where we have come from and who we all are, particularly at a time when devolution marks a pivotal point in Scotland's history, is certain to provide some passionate debate.

I believe a common understanding of our past is the glue that holds our communities together. Without our memory, how do we know who we are, where we have come from and, most importantly, where we are going?"