Celtic Connections Celtic Connections The Celtic Connections festival started in 1994 in Glasgow, Scotland, and has since been held every January. Featuring over 300 concerts, ceilidhs, talks, free events, late night sessions and workshops, the festival focuses on the roots of traditional Scottish music and also features international folk, roots and world music artists. The festival is produced and promoted by Glasgow’s Concert Halls. Donald Shaw, a founding member of Capercaillie, was appointed Celtic Connections Artistic Director in 2006. Shaw announced in February 2018 that he would be stepping aside from the role. At the core of the festival is the Education
Celtic Media Festival of 22 different categories. The festival also presents a Gold Torc to the winner of Spirit of the Festival Award - a film or television programme wholly or substantially in a Celtic language that encapsulates the spirit of the Celtic Media Festival. The Celtic Media Festival has been chaired by dedicated and respected individuals working in the broadcasting industry: Irish Chairs: Scottish Chairs: Welsh Chairs: Celtic Media Festival The Celtic Media Festival, formerly known as the Celtic Film and Television Festival, aims to promote the languages and cultures of the Celtic nations in film, on television, radio and new media.