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
Jersey Folklore Festival to hold the event in St Peter. The 2012 event took place on 30 June to 1 July. 2,000 people attended over the weekend. The following acts performed on two stages; Jersey Folklore Festival Jersey Folklore Festival is a music festival held in Saint Helier, Jersey. The venue is People's Park, with a possible capacity of 5,000 people, and two stages. A main stage situated inside a large marquee, and the smaller "Agapanthus Stage" which is named after the Agapanthus flowers which grow in the park. The plan for this festival was announced after a different annual Jersey folk music