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
Celtic circle amateur status: performances and compositions created will go in this direction. There are between 200 and 300, most of which are located in Brittany, but there are also many in cities where Breton communities are found in France, Guadeloupe, New York City, and Beijing. There are two large federations, who organize competitions, Kendalc'h and War'l Leur. The city of Quimper is known for its circles and its festival. Celtic circle A Celtic circle (, ) is an association which emphasizes the Breton culture, by using possibly the Breton language. The Celtic circles created before the Second World War had very