Culture Minister Matt Hancock has urged cultural leaders to focus on the "social glue that binds us together" - as his Scottish counterpart reminded delegates at a culture festival that Scotland is being taken out the European Union against its will.
In an opening address to the Edinburgh International Culture Summit, the Conservative MP urged delegates to "celebrate that which brings us together, and not concentrate on that which divides us".
Scottish Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the SNP government at Holyrood is determined to show that Scotland remains "a welcoming and inclusive society... when the UK, despite Scotland's vote to remain, is set to leave the European Union".
The summit also heard singer Youssou N'Dour, Minister of Tourism and Culture in Senegal, explain the difficulties artists face crossing borders.
Mr Hancock said: "We come here in a wonderful month for the city of Edinburgh, which I think anybody who comes can see is an exciting city, a proudly Scottish city, a British city and perhaps most of all a global city."
He added: "The task now is to make sure that we use the arts and culture to demonstrate the social glue that binds us together.
"Domestically to spread culture and access to culture to all parts, not just the heights of London and Edinburgh, not just to the affluent but to all - building the strength of communities and building that social glue.
"And it's not just about culture within one country, because culture transcends borders.
"Globally to shape, as it has done in the past, Britain's role in the world and identity. To bind humanity in mutual understanding and appreciation.
"Where we celebrate that which brings us together, and not concentrate on that which divides us.
"Let that be the spirit of this summit, and let us work to build that spirit here in Edinburgh and the world over."
Ms Hyslop hailed Scotland's "sense of internationalism".
"It's been part of the purpose of the Edinburgh International Festival ever since it was established in 1947 in the wake of World War II," she said.
"And of course it feels hugely important now when the UK, despite Scotland's vote to remain, is set to leave the European Union.
"We are therefore more determined that ever to show that we remain a welcoming and inclusive society."
Speaking in French with the assistance of a translator, Mr N'Dour said: "I can talk to you about the difficulty of travelling as an artist.
"It makes life difficult to come here to Britain, you need to give your passport, you have to wait three weeks for a visa, and you still don't know if you're going to get a visa, and that's just if you want to come here to talk about culture.
"With other countries it's the same. There are measures you must bring in because of security but that doesn't do cultural actors any good."
Later, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged delegates to resist those "calling for nations to turn inwards and abandon our sense of international community".
The Scottish National Party leader said previous Edinburgh International Culture Summits have been instrumental "in bringing together politicians, policy makers and artists to talk openly, to share experiences and find new ways to inspire positive and creative change".
She said: "It's also a very clear sign that we all share a commitment to promoting artistic and culture exchange.
"That, I think, is particularly important today at a time of uncertainty when our world can sometimes feel increasingly complex.
"That complexity, of course, can often be seen as hostile and threatening, and some of the loudest voices in our society today are calling for nations to turn inwards and abandon our sense of international community.
"Rightly, this summit aims to do exactly the opposite of that."
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