Celebrating St Andrew’s Day

That the Parliament celebrates St Andrew’s Day on 30 November 2023; recognises what it sees as the local, national and global importance of celebrating this annual event; considers that St Andrew's Day provides an opportunity for the people of Scotland to celebrate their national identity, cultural diversity, and place as one of the oldest nations in the international community; notes with thanks the efforts of the former MSP, Dennis Canavan, who has worked hard to gain cross-party agreement to make St Andrew’s Day a national holiday in Scotland; considers what it sees as the economic benefits that global recognition of St Andrew’s Day brings to Scotland, through the culture, business, education, tourism and retail sectors; further considers that the use of the Saltire as the national flag and identifier of Scottish produce and marketing has created a globally recognised brand; believes that St Andrew is an internationally recognisable figure within faith communities; notes that St Andrew has been a patron saint of Scotland since the 14th century and is also a patron of many other countries, which it considers brings together different nationalities, faiths and cultures; acknowledges the events that will be hosted by those countries that identify St Andrew as their patron saint and will use the Saltire, and what it sees as the important links with Scotland that these events promote globally; commends all those in Scotland who celebrate St Andrew’s Day in recognition of this national day, and looks forward to future events being held across the world in maintaining connections to Scotland.