Edinburgh’s most spectacular festival returns to Calton Hil this weekend. The Beltane Fire Festival will descend once more upon the centre of Edinburgh for a two days of drums, performance and fire. There’s a Beltane Open Day on Calton Hill this afternoon as a taster for Sunday evening’s spectacular event.
Reviving a Celtic tradition to celebrate the arrival of Summer, the Beltane Fire Festival is now entering its 30th year. Thousands of revellers are expected to attend and tickets are selling fast so while there will be a limited number available on the night, attendees are being advised to buy in advance to avoid disappointment.
The festival is a modern reimagining of an ancient Celtic traditions which, every year mark the arrival of summer with a wild mix of fire, drums, acrobatics and immersive theatre. While the festival has roots that stretch back to the Celts in the first century AD, the revived tradition has its own heritage, reaching back to 1988. This year, to mark the 30th festival since the festival was reignited, everyone involved has been exploring the heritage of the celebration.
Speaking about the history of Edinburgh’s Beltane Fire Festival, founder Angus Farquahr said: “Since we restarted it in its modern form 30 years ago, the Beltane Festival has continued to grow and flourish. It always felt apt to celebrate spring, warmth coming back into the air and the miracle of renewal as witnessed through the annual arc of growth and fecundity in the natural world. I am incredibly proud of its evolution, the energy and commitment of the hundreds of volunteers who make it happen and draw strength from the heart of its rituals and traditions.”
There will be colourful characters who weave their way amongst the audience, set theatrical pieces and impromptu acrobatic performances. The festival is presented as interactive theatre; a spectacle unlike any other. There are few barriers between audience and performer, and performances take place all around the hill as well as amongst the crowd. This is a chance for performers and audiences alike to let go, break free, reconnect to nature and revel in the joys of summer. It is a true community event that belongs to the local community of Edinburgh.
The night is based around the journey of the May Queen. After she awakes, together with the Green Man, she travels around the park, meeting new characters, and blessing the elements. Fire, Water, Earth and Air are all represented by groups of fire performers, pirates, foxes, and birds – that will all interact with the procession. There are also the Blues (the May Queen’s guides), the Whites (her companions), and the Reds (embodiments of chaos) that all play a part. The characters are driven by the beat of three very different drum groups, which all too find the place in the narrative. The story begins with the lighting of the Neid fire, and this fire is transported around the hill by torchbearers, lighting the way, before it ends with the lighting of the Beltane bonfire.
Erin Macdonald, Chair of Beltane Fire Society said: “This year is the 30th Beltane Fire Festival to celebrate, we’ve asked our volunteers to think big and explore the roots of the festival – both back to ancient times and also across the past thirty years of the event’s history in Edinburgh. Beltane is an event that cannot be described, it has to be felt, and that’s what makes it so special. We really want to reach out and welcome in the wider community this year, so come and share the beginnings of Summer with us.”
Event Coordinator Georgia Royes added: “To mark the anniversary, our incredible team of volunteers have been pulling out all the stops. There are giant puppets, intricate costumes, new fire sculptures and fire performances. The fire arch that the procession passes through will be a huge spectacle, far bigger than anything we’ve had before. We’ve also got stunning willow sculptures and decorations that will really transform Calton Hill.”
The Beltane Fire Society is also holding a ‘Beltane Community Open Day’ on Calton Hill today. This will be a day out for all the family. Bring a picnic and get involved with drumming workshops, story-telling, kids activities and walking tours of the hill. It will be on Calton Hill, 1pm – 4pm – attendance by donation.
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