Richard Demarco CBE been announced as the person to deliver the next Loretto Lecture, a now well-established 
series of free talks and presentations open to all and established by Loretto, Scotland’s oldest boarding school based in Edinburgh.
Richard Demarco will speak on‘From Loretto School via The Traverse Theatre on ‘The Road to Meikle Seggie’ towards the world of The Edinburgh Festival’ in the magnificent surroundings of the Painted Gallery in Pinkie House, Loretto School in Musselburgh on Wednesday, 18th September 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
Places are free and can be reserved by contacting Mr Jonathan Hewat, Director of External Affairs at Loretto School – jhewat@loretto.com or 0131 653 4413
The title of Richard Demarco’s lecture is inspired by the fact that it was Patrick Prenter, whilst an undergraduate at Cambridge, who was responsible for the building occupied by The Traverse Theatre in James Court in The Lawnmarket being first used for theatre for the 1962 Edinburgh Festival. The Traverse Theatre’s early years from 1963 to 1967 were to be in James Court as a result of this connection.
Jonathan Hewat, Director of External Affairs at Loretto School, said, “Richard Demarco is without doubt a remarkable man, an Italian Scot, a founder of the Traverse Theatre, a man who is an artist, a writer, a philosopher. He is a man who has brought contemporary visual arts to the Edinburgh Festival.
He has been involved in more than 50 Edinburgh Festivals, and has brought great artists like Joseph Beuys and Kantor to thousands of people. He has also brought the visual arts from other parts of the world, from Eastern Europe, long before other people were interested. He continues to inspire us all.”
The Loretto Lecture Series attracts figures from all walks of life and continues to maintain its unparalleled reputation for international guests and speakers. Recent events and speakers have included BBC Radio 4's 'Any Questions?', the return to Scotland after 425 years of Mary, Queen of Scots’ Book of Hours which was reunited for one day with the crucifix she is believed to have carried to her execution, speakers such as legendary peace activist, Colin Parry, Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore, acclaimed broadcaster and journalist Lesley Riddoch and award winning writer, journalist and former Director of the Edinburgh Fringe, Alistair Moffat.