THE construction of a home for democracy in Scotland is set to become the final building block of the programme for Glasgow's year of City of Architecture and Design.
While Scotland's Parliament will be located in Edinburgh, the display of the short-listed plans and the winning design looks set to be seen in Glasgow in an exhibition at the McLellan Galleries that will examine the links between democracy and architecture around the world.
Speaking after the hi-tech launch of the 1999 programme at Glasgow's Tramway, Councillor Des McNulty, chairman of the 1999 board, said that confirmation of the exhibition, expected from the Scottish Office soon, would put in place the last major element of the year's events.
Describing the programme as an example of ''Scorching Scotia'', as opposed to Cool Britannia, Mr McNulty said: ''Glasgow has had a tough time in recent years, but it will not just survive but flourish nationally and internationally. Next year will be a watershed in the rebirth of the city.''
Scottish Secretary Donald Dewar paid tribute to Glasgow's ability to adapt.''People are always telling me I ought to re-invent myself, and I don't think that's going to happen, but Glasgow has a whole history of change. Design runs through this city where you have to keep your head up to appreciate what is fine about it,'' he said.
His view was echoed by 1999 director Deyan Sudjic, who said: ''Glasgow is in the midst of re-inventing itself and design reflects people's culture and values. This is a chance for the city to celebrate the joys of city life.''
The 1999 programme is a product of the input of housing associations and schoolchildren as well as professionals, said Mr Sudjic. The brochure lists 200 events that run from an opening fireworks display to the Hogmanay celebrations for the Millennium.
Yesterday's event was the official launch of many aspects of 1999 that have already been announced, but it gathered all the significant players in the city in a show that boasted an attendance in excess of many previously seen at Tramway.
The Scottish Secretary noted that both the redevelopment of the Garden Festival site as Pacific Quay and the Tramway location linked the 1999 programme with Glasgow's previous promotional exercises in 1988 and 1990.
Paying tribute to the professionalism of the launch, he added: ''I have been at events here that required very special staying power.''
The 1999 programme was showcased to the music of Leftfield and Prince and with two films. They included input from the community of Glasgow that was the basis of the city's winning bid for the title, underlining the commitment of the 1999 team to involve the broadest cross-section of the community in the year.
Nonetheless, the #30m of tourist spending which it is expected will be attracted to the city will focus on the ''flagship'' attractions.
As well as the projected McLellan show, they include the redevelopment of the former Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed home of The Herald in Mitchell Street as the Lighthouse, a centre for architecture and design unique in Europe; the architectural exposition that is the Homes for the Future development at the edge of Glasgow Green; and the Millennium Spaces tranformation of five key sites around the city.
The exhibition programme at the Lighthouse will begin with a show on the work of Alexander ''Greek'' Thomson.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery will host a showcase of the work of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who is also the inspiration for theatre director Robert Lepage's The Geometry of Miracles at Tramway. Design as seen in sport, food and through the use of the colour red are themes for other exhibitions throughout the year.
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