This is an unticketed event and is free for all to attend.

Gather around the Scottish Parliament for the Opening Celebration of Healing Arts Scotland (HAS). Featuring over 250 performers and participants from across Scotland in an energetic celebration of music and dance, it’s an event that will capture the spirit and healing power of coming together through the performing arts.

Alongside a Scottish Ballet community cast, we have assembled 200 musicians from across Scotland for a joyful showcase of mass music-making, opening with an awe-inspiring 150-strong street band from Oi Musica featuring an intergenerational cast of brass, wind and street drummers. Scottish Ballet will present a specially commissioned dance piece featuring Scottish Ballet’s Youth Exchange company, NHS staff, Dance for Parkinson’s Scotland participants and Dance Base's PRIME Elders Dance Company. The work will be performed to ‘Mackay’s Memoirs’ by the late Scottish Celtic fusion artist Martyn Bennett, a landmark piece which was originally commissioned for the opening of the Scottish Parliament building in 1999. This performance marks its 25th anniversary. With the rousing pipes of supergroup Tryst, joined by players form the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland, musical direction from Greg Lawson and an incredible Finale featuring all performers bringing Martyn Bennet’s piece ‘Karabach’ to life, the Opening of Healing Arts Scotland will be an exciting testament to the power of taking part in the arts collectively.

This August, we’re playing our part in HAS – the first ever countrywide Healing Arts Week, taking place between 19 and 23 August.

This is a week-long celebration of arts and health events, highlighting the joy they bring to those who take part, and their importance to the nation’s physical, mental and social health.

HAS is an initiative by Scottish Ballet and the Jameel Arts & Health Lab in collaboration with the World Health Organisation.

Supported by donors who choose to remain anonymous.