FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon attended The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at the weekend where she was accompanied by a group of Ukrainian teenagers.
Seated in the Royal Gallery, Sturgeon and the teenagers, who are currently residing in Scotland, took in the spectacle of this year’s show, Voices.
In March, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo showed its support for the people of Ukraine by flying the country’s flag high above their Cockburn Street office.
On arrival at the event, each of the teenagers was given a specially designed tattoo t-shirt inspired by the Ukrainian flag and the special projections included in the show.
Chief executive of the Tattoo Buster Howes said: “It is always an honour to welcome the First Minister to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, but it was even more significant to host her alongside these young people from Ukraine.
“The Tattoo is a celebration of the connections, culture and creativity which frame our common humanity, and which unite us all; we are always delighted to introduce young people to the vivid multinational spectacle we present.
“We stand resolutely alongside the embattled people of Ukraine.”
The Tattoo also opened its shop doors to function as a pop-up donation hub in support of the work of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain as well as making a £20,000 donation to the Disasters Emergency Appeal.
Over 900 performers from across the world are taking part in this year’s event which is set to run until August 27.
