Celtic Connections and is an integral and vibrant part of cultural life in Glasgow, with the economic impact on the city reaching £5.8 million in 2007. The festival actively promotes artistic links and cultural exchange across countries, reinforced by Showcase Scotland which brought 200 music industry delegates from 35 different countries to Scotland looking to book Scottish bands for festivals abroad in 2008. The 2008 festival opened with the Common Ground concert where many of the artists taking part in the event performed together. Donald Shaw, artistic director of the festival, spoke about the future of Celtic Connections as well as the
Ortigueira's Festival of Celtic World (Poland), Ímar (Scotland/Wales), Escola De Gaitas De Ortigueira (Galicia), The National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland (Scotland), Kila (Ireland), Rubén Alba (Asturias), Os D’abaixo (Galicia), Milladoiro (Galicia), Yves Lambert Project (Canada), Gabriel G Diges (Ireland), Airiños De Fene (Galicia), Lúnasa (Ireland), The Celtic Social Club (Brittany). Ortigueira's Festival of Celtic World Ortigueira, a seaport and borough in County Ferrolterra (A Coruña) in Galicia, celebrates its patron saint day -Saint Martha of Ortigueira's Day- on 29 July. Held during Saint Martha's day, Ortigueira's Festival of Celtic World (Festival Internacional do Mundo Celta de Ortigueira) is the highlight of the borough's summertime