The Glasgow International Comedy Festival has announced the launch of the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award. The award will be the only official award given by Glasgow International Comedy Festival, with the inaugural winner announced at the Festival's Closing Gala event at the King’s Theatre on Sunday 2nd April.

An independent judging panel will judge nominations made by registered participants of the 2023 festival taking place from 15th March to 2nd April and the eventual winner will be the show, individual or group that most personifies the Spirit of Glasgow. 

Sir Billy Connolly said about the award: "Glasgow defies description. Many great men and women have tried to describe its spirit and failed miserably. What do you say about a town that dances, sings, plays and jokes differently from everybody else? The winner of this Award will have to be a nutter like me…" 

Festival Director Krista MacDonald tells of the team’s pride in launching the unique award. "It is the beginning of a new era for the Glasgow International Comedy Festival and we are very proud to have Sir Billy Connolly’s support in celebrating the spirit of the city shown through the immense comedy talent on display during our three weeks in March. No one more personifies both that spirit and that talent than Sir Billy” she said.

Conceived by Karen Koren, of GICF corporate director GB Festivals Ltd, the award will be open to any individual, group, show or venue involved in Glasgow International Comedy Festival 2023, not only those from Glasgow. 

Karen said “We feel incredibly privileged to be able to introduce the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award to this year’s festival. We hope the award will add to the celebration and really shine a light on some of the incredible hard work by acts and individuals within the comedy industry” 

Chair of Glasgow Life, Bailie Annette Christie said: “Glasgow and its people are renowned for their great sense of humour, love of comedy and indefatigable spirit, and I can’t think of anyone who represents that life-affirming combination of characteristics more than Sir Billy Connolly. 

“That this exciting new award - to recognise outstanding talent at Glasgow International Comedy Festival - is named after and honours the city’s beloved comedy genius, who has put Glasgow firmly on the worldwide comedy stage, gives it even greater importance.” 

Show registration closes on Friday 18th November and tickets for the GICF Closing Gala go on sale on Wednesday 23rd November. Information on both can be found at www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com

Picture © Sir Billy Connolly