FORTHVIEW PUPILS LAUNCH 2025 PROGRAMME
- 13 productions from 7 different countries
- Two new Expo-funded commissions, Tongue Twister and The Unlikely Friendship of Feather Boy and Tentacle Girl, to tour Scotland ahead of the Festival.
Today (Tuesday 25 March) the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival launched its 2025 programme of events. Running from 24 May to 1 June in venues across Edinburgh, the festival’s 35th programme includes circus, dance, puppetry and theatre for young people, their schools and families thanks to continued support from Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund.
This is the final programme for Festival Director Noel Jordan who is leaving in October to return home to Australia after 10 years in post.
It kicks off with a fully accessible Free Family Day of pop-up performances and artists interventions by Scotland-based artists at the National Museum of Scotland and explores timely topics such as celebrating difference and the search for identity.
The festival aims to ensure that more children in Scotland can experience work that is deeply engaging, innovative and inspiring, regardless of their circumstances, access needs or location and this year’s highlights include:
- Intimate sensory works for babies that will delight young audiences with their beautiful design and gentle interactions. These includes Great Big Tiny Worldan immersive show filled with sounds and scents taking place in a space filled up with hundreds of plants, or Beneath the Snow which creates a world of white tissue paper from which emerge beautiful creatures.
- Shows for both children and adults, with family pleasers such as Grown Ups and Double You featuring adults behaving badly with hilarious consequence, while The Show for Young Men depicts a funny and moving performance about friendship between a man and a boy.
- A regional focus on Flanders, with four stunning productions representing the vibrant and dynamic children’s theatre scene from this region.
- Two new Expo-funded commissions by Scottish companies, Tongue Twister and The Unlikely Friendship of Feather Boy and Tentacle Girl, which will be touring Scotland in the lead-up to the Festival. Both focus on celebrating diverse cultures and accepting difference.
Festival Director Noel Jordan said: “I’m very excited to be launching the 35thedition of the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival. 35 years have seen generations of children attend the Festival, with many now returning as parents to share cherishable and transformative experiences with their own children.
“This year’s programme features 13 productions from 7 countries, including two exciting Scottish commissions from both new and established artists. Woven through many of the performances is the simple joy of play – from children playing with gravity and rules making to adults’ hidden play and madcap exploration of what it means to be a grown up.
“Play is the cornerstone of childhood and this programme lets us freely imagine worlds and people beyond the immediacy of our own lives whilst connecting us with others.
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Every child deserves the chance to experience the magic of live performance and I’m grateful to everyone who has made the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival such a success over the past three decades.
“To have brought smiles to thousands of young people’s faces over 35 years is a truly heartwarming legacy and this year’s programme promises to be no less enthralling. I’m particularly delighted to see it includes two Expo-funded commissions with a focus on celebrating cultural diversity.
“The Scottish Government’s Expo fund is designed to help showcase Scottish artists and our festivals to the world, and I’m very proud to continue that support with £110,000 for this year’s Edinburgh International Children’s Festival.”
Colin Bradie, Head of Creative Learning at Creative Scotland said: “The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival continues to inspire and engage young audiences with world-class theatre, dance, and storytelling.
“This year’s programme, with its rich international diversity and focus on celebrating difference, reflects the power of the arts to spark imagination and foster inclusivity.
“We are proud to support this vibrant festival and the many artists who bring it to life, ensuring that children across Scotland have access to transformative cultural experiences.”
Festival tickets go on sale today, at 12noon. For full programme and booking information, visit: www.imaginate.org.uk/festival.
Tickets can be booked online or by calling 0131 226 0019.