Piping Live! 2012 kicks off in Glasgow

The ninth annual Piping Live! Glasgow International Piping Festival officially kicked off in Glasgow on April 10th with photo opportunities for media and a sneak preview of what’s in store for the expected 40,000 visitors drawn to the city by the event.

This year’s festival again capitalizes in the wee preceding the World Pipe Band Championships at Glasgow Green on August 11th, a competition that expects the participation of more than 8,000 pipers and drummers from more than 200 competing bands.

The launch event was staged at Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow, a popular spot for visiting bands to practice before the World’s.

According to organizers, Piping Live! 2012 will feature more non-Scottish performers than ever, with artists from 10 European countries including Estonia, Bulgaria, Sweden and Italy, as well as many more familiar Scottish-based acts at the more than 150 ticketed events from August 6th to 12th.

The festival is a significant income-generator for the city of Glasgow, which supports the event through funding.

“Both events generate significant economic benefit for the city and their continuing popularity reinforces Glasgow’s reputation for successfully hosting major international events,” said Scott Taylor, chief executive of the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau in a statement.

“We’ve put together a fantastic program this year that will once again show what an energetic, eclectic and exhilarating instrument the bagpipes are,” said Piping Live! Director Roddy MacLeod.