The Handover Ceremony consists of the formal handing over of the Flag of the Commonwealth Games Federation and an eight minute creative programme that will formally invite the rest of the world to Glasgow in 2014, as the next Host City for the Commonwealth Games. There will be 60,000 spectators in the JN Stadium in Delhi for the Handover Ceremony, and an estimated 1 billion people worldwide watching on television and online.

The cast have been brought together for two days of briefings, meetings and workshops, and to record the Gaelic chant that will be played as part of the performance.
The Gaelic chant will form part of the introduction to the eight minute piece, and is based on vocables that you would find in traditional Gaelic “waulking” songs. This means that the chant is not comprised of words as such, but is a Gaelic sound.

The Gaelic chant will form a small part of the overall Handover Ceremony, but will be central to the overall creative approach – a mix of traditional Scottish symbols with an urban, modern, stylish Scotland.
Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive John Scott said:
“This is a very exciting time for us and the first time that we have shown anything to the public about the content of the Handover Ceremony. The 346 cast members recruited from all over Scotland, will be recording the Gaelic chant as the first part of the creative piece, that will be played out in the JN Stadium in Delhi.”

“The creative concept behind our performance at the Handover Ceremony will be a combination of a background of a strong Scottish tradition, and modern Scotland – passionate, genuine, and fun.”
Minister for Public Health and Sport Shona Robison said:
“The Handover Ceremony in October will mark a special moment on the journey towards the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
“The Handover is our chance to showcase Scotland to the rest of the world. At the same time it will be marked at home by a series of events funded by the Games for Scotland programme. This will inspire people and communities from across the country to get involved and truly make this Scotland’s Games.”
Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow City Council, said:
“The Handover Ceremony at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games will be a real landmark as we prepare for the Games coming to Glasgow in 2014. The ceremony presents us with an opportunity to showcase what Glasgow and Scotland can do in front of a worldwide audience, and I look forward to a fantastic performance in Delhi.”

Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland said:
“The Closing Ceremony for the athletes always evokes a sense of national pride and passion as they reflect on the culmination of the present Games and the passing over to the next.

“This year these emotions will be heightened further by the prospect of a home Games in 2014 and the involvement of the Handover cast members, who will, like the team represent the length and breadth of our country. I am sure our athletes will be extremely proud to be in the stadium supporting the cast members as they collectively share this momentous occasion.”

Kathleen MacInnes, a Gaelic singer who will be teaching and leading the cast in the chant, said:
“It is an honour to be involved in a project like this. I can’t wait to work with the hundreds of cast members from across Scotland in this historic event, and bring the heart of Gaelic culture to an international audience.”