Big Burns Supper 2024 cancelled due to funding struggles
Organisers have announced the news online
Last updated 31st Oct 2023
Organisers of the Dumfries based 'Big Burns Supper' festival have announced the event will be postponed until January 2025, due to funding challenges.
The decision to cancel the 2024 event was shared on the festival Facebook page earlier today, with Founder Graham Main citing the removal of Winter Festival Funding by the Scottish Government back in 2022 as an impacting factor.
It’s understood the Big Burns Supper team struggled through without Winter Festival Funding last year, however due to rising costs continuing with the same set up as last year has been deemed not viable without additional funding.
Popular date in the calendar
Designed to celebrate Scotland’s past and present, Big Burns Supper has cemented itself as a key date for locals and visitors alike.
In a statement shared online, the team are sharing their disappointment, as well as their hopes moving forward:
“We do not want to compromise the artistic integrity or the safety of our event.
“Funders have said we may be able to roll our 2024 funding on to 2025, so this gives us a lot of time to match this funding.
“We have a vision for Burns Night which we think the Scottish Government may have lost sight of, and we will do everything we can to remind them of what an important celebration Burns Night is.
“We believed it needed to feel more inclusive, and we stand by our manifesto about the potential Burns Night has.
“We know you will be disappointed by this news.”
In response to the announcement, a Scottish Government spokesperson said:
“The Scottish Government investment in arts and culture will increase, so that in five years our investment will be £100 million higher than it is now.
“However due to the cost crisis we have had to make difficult choices regarding the Winter Festival Fund to live within our largely fixed budgets and this programme was closed permanently in 2022.
“Our ability to respond to the cost crisis is limited by the inactivity of the UK Government and the financial restrictions of devolution.
“We will continue to do everything within our powers and resources to help those in the culture sector most affected by current economic challenges.
“The Culture Minister will be in touch shortly to offer further advice as the event considers its plans for 2025.”
The festival is not gone forever
Founder Graham says the focus is now on the future:
“What we’re doing now is waiting for the timing to be right, and until we have enough resource to make the event happen.
“Local funders The Holywood Trust and Dumfries & Galloway Council have helped us reach this decision, and they’re exploring how they can make the 2024 funding available in 2025, which would give us a lot more time to match this funding.”
While disappointment is clear amongst social media comments, the Big Burns Supper team are thanking the public for their continued support.