Christmas cards designed by Edinburgh school pupils will brighten up Princes Street this festive season by being displayed on all digital bus shelter screens.
Pupils from across the city entered the competition to design the cards for the Education and Children’s Services of the City of Edinburgh Council and the Lord Provost.
In total 11 designs will be shown on the screens, with three of them - chosen by Education Convener Councillor Joan Griffiths, Lord Provost Robert Aldridge and Executive Director Amanda Hatton as their official Christmas cards - unveiled at a special event.
The winning designs were created by Lucas Virdee (Victoria Primary School), Aastha Arya (Tynecastle High School) and Flora Goater (Echline Primary School).
The Christmas card competition is an annual event but hasn’t taken place since 2019 due to the pandemic. This is now the sixth year that JCDecaux UK has offered lucky pupils the chance to have their designs shown on digital screens in Princes Street.
Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said:
I’m sure all the pupils and their families will be really excited to see their designs on public display and everyone who took part in the contest deserves special mention. Our young people are showing real creativity and artistic talent with these cards and the Winter Windows display in Princes Street Gardens. It’s great to see the cards promoted on the digital bus shelters as it will definitely bring festive cheer to shoppers!”
Cllr Griffiths said:
This is my first year for choosing winners and it was really difficult due to the high quality of entries. I really want to thank JCDecaux for continuing to support this festive project after an enforced gap of two years as there’s no doubt the young people love taking part. Huge congratulations to Luca, Aastha and Flora whose designs will also feature on our Christmas cards.
Carolyn Howieson, Partnership Manager at JCDecaux UK, said:
We are delighted to be working in partnership with The City of Edinburgh Council, bringing these beautiful Season Greetings designs by local children to digital screens in Princes Street, showcasing the talented young artists in the city.
The designs will be displayed on all the bus shelters in Princes Street today (Friday 9 December) through to Sunday 11 December.