3D Festival announced to mark V&A Dundee launch

Dundee's young people will be at the centre of a two-day festival which will kick start the opening of V&A Dundee.

Up to 20 thousand visitors are expected at the 3D- Festival in Slessor Gardens, which will launch on 14th September- the eve of the £80 million design museum's opening.

Continuing on Saturday 15 September, there will be family activities, hands-on design workshops, music and creative collaborations on the main stage.

3D Festival is a key event in Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018, which is a year-long programme of events and activities that will give young people in Scotland the opportunity to show the world what they are made of.

V&A Dundee’s Young People’s Collective, a group of 16 to 25-year-olds from across the city, have spent the last six months planning the festival and will continue to help shape everything from who will perform to the stage sets. The full festival line-up will be announced over the summer period.

Maryam Deeni, a member of V&A Dundee’s Young People’s Collective, said: “This is an opportunity for us to do something great and we want everyone to feel part of it. The opening celebrations will show off the new museum and will be a chance to highlight the great things that have been going on in Dundee for a long time. The festival will be a combination of what the city is proud of and the exciting things still to come.

“It’s been awesome being part of V&A Dundee’s Young People’s Collective, a group that is really enthusiastic and passionate about the city.”

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, said: “The Scottish Government has been a long-time supporter of V&A Dundee and the Year of Young People has put young people at the heart of this ground-breaking project. Our nation’s young people are full of brilliant creative ideas and V&A Dundee’s 3D Festival is a unique opportunity for them to harness these talents and truly make their mark on the future of Dundee and Scotland’s flourishing art, design and creative scene.”

Dundee City Council leader Councillor John Alexander said: "This is an exciting time for our city and we are building an unprecedented international profile ahead of the opening of V&A Dundee.

"In the Year of Young People, it is so inspiring to see that young people themselves are playing a central part in the celebration plans. This event will capture the spirit of innovation and ambition that is driving Dundee ahead."

The full festival line-up will be announced over the summer.