Edinburgh Art Festival (EAF24) closed on Sunday, with record numbers of attendees and of participating artists.
For the 2024 programme, which marked 20 years of the festival, EAF invited audiences to join them in a moment to collectively pause and reflect upon the conditions under which we live, work, gather and resist with a festival hub at City Art Centre.
The programme, the biggest yet for EAF, spanned the work of more than 200 artists in more than 30 venues, across 55 projects and with over 130,000 visitors across all venues, including 21,000 visitors across the EAF commissioned programme.
Kim McAleese, EAF Festival Director, said: “We wanted to create a festival that felt rooted here in Edinburgh and connected to people local to the city but which was also balanced with a critical and nuanced global dialogue.
“We are delighted that audiences, collaborators and artists were so generous with their engagement, criticality and time for EAF24. At the core of our programme this year was over 200 artists who brought work to the city.
“Without them we would not be able to do what we do and we must continue to support those artists who share their ideas and knowledge with us year on year, especially in the face of devastating, life changing cuts to public funding such as those announced this week here in Scotland.”
The festival programme spanned from the city centre, with large scale works by Ghanaian artist El Antsui and flags by Rosie’s Disobedient Press visible for those in the city to see from the streets, to the glowing light of Prem Sahib’s nocturnal work at Bard, in Leith to the outer limits of the capital both East and West.
A festival within a festival took place at Jupiter Artland, with the theme of a ‘queer fete’ and Más Arte Más Acción (MAMA) were invited to present an artistic public intervention at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, in the form of a large table around a tree, to discuss the interconnections between humans and plants in times of rapid biodiversity loss and which now travels to COP30 in Brasil.
Performances peppered the EAF24 programme including the highly acclaimed opening performance by Mele Broomes and Prem Sahib’s Alleus, which took place in a stairwell of Castle Terrace Car Park.
Four of Scotland’s emerging artists showcased work that surmised their current concerns to critical acclaim in the City Art Centre, and recent and current socio-political history were explored in new ways at Women in Revolt! at the National Galleries of Scotland in a survey of feminist art that celebrates the women who challenged and changed the face of British culture which was reimagined for Edinburgh to include new Scottish women artists.
A woman who had a cardiac arrest in the Botanic Gardens has been reunited with one of the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) staff members who saved her life.
Jeanne Reilly, of Berkshire, recently returned to Edinburgh with family and friends to attend the unveiling of a new defibrillator installed at the same location where she collapsed on July 30 last year.
Her friend Jane Wood, who was with Jeanne when she went into arrest, instigated the efforts to have the defibrillator installed, and raised £2086 through family and friends.
A retired GP and an off duty doctor performed CPR immediately and used a nearby defib while an emergency call was placed with the Scottish Ambulance Service, which was received by Lindsey Brady, of West Ambulance Control Centre (ACC) in Glasgow.
Aidan Colliar and Audrey Michie, of the East ACC in Edinburgh, then dispatched Nickie Crowe, on a Paramedic Response Unit, and ambulance crew Ian Harwood and Ricky Moffat, of Dalkeith Station.
They arrived within two minutes of the call being received and Jeanne was transported to hospital and “kept alive” in the ambulance on the way to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Jeanne said: “I was very pleased to see the newly installed defibrillator at the Terrace Café and it was a privilege to meet ambulance crew member Ian in person.
“We have all since spoken so fondly of the opportunity to meet together. Shiona Mackie, the retired GP, met us all again shortly after and gave us a tour of the Botanics in her capacity as a volunteer tour guide – that was special too.
“I was thrilled that Ian had driven so quickly from the Botanics to the Hospital. Putting names to faces and filling in some gaps in my experience has given me a sense of peace.”
Speaking of the cardiac arrest, she said she was given CPR and a defibrillator was used prior to the crew arriving. She added: “They arrived very quickly and then took me to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, giving me another shock in the ambulance.
“I spent 12 days in hospital, have a stent and ICD fitted and I am on the mend to lead a normal life again. I owe my life to all involved. I have been able to thank others personally, and my family and myself send thanks and more to the crew.”
She said it was vital for people to learn CPR skills for this year’s Restart a Heart Day on Sunday.
“Had it not been for the quick thinking of everyone, I would not be back to enjoying life. The expertise of the ambulance paramedics kept me alive while I made the journey to the Edinburgh Infirmary. The medical team in ICU took over from there.
“I hope that more people are educated about where to find a defibrillator and how to use one, so that the percentage of those who survive a cardiac arrest out of hospital can increase.”
To find out more about CPR, visit the Save a Life for Scotland website at www.savealife.scot
Dandelion’s cubes are going on tour, starting on top of the iconic Calton Hill in Edinburgh. Special cargo bikes, featuring Dandelion’s unique ‘growing cubes’ called ‘Cubes of Perpetual Light’, will be touring Scotland in Dandelion’s latest initiative to bring music, nature, art, science, community food growing and more, to as many people as possible.
The Cubes Bike Tour forms part of Dandelion, a major creative programme demonstrating the power of collective action through an ambitious ‘grow your own’ initiative that aims to reach hundreds of thousands of people throughout Scotland and further afield this summer.
The creative programme has been following the arc of the growing season, spanning from April to September 2022, bringing together music and art with science and technology to inspire people to ‘Sow, Grow and Share’ music, food, ideas and stories.
Commissioned by EventScotland and funded by the Scottish Government, Dandelion is Scotland’s contribution to UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK.
A touring fleet of cargo bikes displaying Dandelion’s growing cubes – miniature vertical farms – will travel the Highlands and Lowlands throughout August.
Four custom-made, electrically assisted bikes – each carrying a cube – will visit ten towns and cities, stopping at school playgrounds, green spaces, town centres, and Dandelion’s Unexpected Gardens, among other locations.
The bikes team will also be giving away free seeds to encourage people to grow their own food. As we come to grips with the impacts of climate change, the need to travel sustainably have never been more important, and the cargo bikes show one way to what is possible.
The bikes also embed active travel at the core of the tour by cycling across the country, as Scotland prepares to host the UCI Cycling World Championships in 2023.
The 1m x 1m cubes are designed to foster accelerated plant growing and have been developed to grow hundreds of seedlings under LED light, combining design craft, traditional horticultural expertise and technological innovation.
The Dandelion team will also be giving away free seed packets and sharing their expertise, so that everyone can grow their own herbs at home and also find out more about Dandelion’s Harvest celebrations in September.
At each stop, the cubes will play new music specially commissioned for Dandelion by Scottish and international artists, inspired by the natural world and can only be heard at the sites, including Vendanth Bharadwaj, Arooj Aftab & Maeve Gilchrist, 2022 Mercury-nominated Fergus McCreadie, Ravi Bandhu, Trio Da Kali, and amiina & Kathleen MacInnes.
Featuring programmable, immersive lighting integrated with speaker systems designed to best showcase the new music playing from the cubes. Each new music piece is commissioned by Dandelion with additional support for international work from British Council Scotland.
Neil Butler, Director of Festivals and Events at Dandelion, said: ‘We can’t wait for the Cubes Bike Tour to begin. It’s a great way to share Dandelion’s message and reach people in locations throughout Scotland.
“The bikes will be travelling all over the country so we’d love to see people coming along to witness some of the magic, get seeds to grow your own at home and hear more about our upcoming Harvest celebrations.’
Paul Bush OBE, Visit Scotland Director of Events said:“The Dandelion programme is creating an incredible array of events across Scotland this summer, each finding unique moments to connect with people all over the country through growing.
“The Cubes Bike Tour is another engaging example of this, taking Dandelion right into the heart of locations right across Scotland to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
“It’s also fantastic to see events like this embed active travel as part of their programme, and it’s particularly exciting to see biking at the core of this tour as Scotland gears up to celebrate cycling on the world-stage in one year’s time, hosting the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships”.
Cosmo Blake, Network Engagement Manager at Sustrans Scotland “We are delighted to be able to support Dandelion by supplying four cargo bikes for the Cubes Bike Tour this August.
“By utilising the National Cycle Network, the UK-wide network of signed paths and routes for walking, wheeling and cycling, the tour will be able to reach communities sustainably. With the ever-present impacts from climate change, the importance of both food and transport sustainability are becoming more and more relevant.
“Bringing together active travel, growing, and the arts is a fantastic way to demonstrate the huge breadth of possibilities of cycling for transport as well as for leisure.”
The Cube Bikes will be passing through the places below:
Edinburgh, Tue 2 August
1pm, Edinburgh Botanic Gardens
4pm, Unexpected Garden, Lauriston Farm
Hawick, Wed 3 August
4pm, Hawick Museum, Wilton Lodge Gardens
Stranraer, Fri 5 August
1pm, Unexpected Garden, Harbour Street
Greenock, Sat 6 August
10.30am, Battery Park and along the esplanade
11.30am, Beacon Arts Centre
2pm, The Drying Green, Inverkip Road
Glasgow, Sun 7 August
10.00am, Govan Cross
12noon, Glasgow Science Centre
Forres, Tue 23 August
1pm, Market Square
7pm, Grant Park
Inverness, Wed 24 August
5.30pm, City Centre
Alness, Thu 25 August
Schools tour only
Wick, Fri 26 August
11am, Harbour tour
1pm, Market Square
Thurso, Sat 27 August
1pm, Town Centre
7.30pm, Unexpected Garden
Further locations to be announced throughout August.
For more information and location updates, please see: www.dandelion.scot
Dandelion is commissioned by EventScotland, funded by the Scottish Government and is part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK. The bikes were commissioned for Dandelion by Sustrans. The Cube Bikes Tour route will follow the National Cycle Network where available. https://www.sustrans.org.uk/national-cycle-network/
Natural History Museum tops list of Best Days Out for Over 60’s
The National Space Centre is in 2nd, while the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh is a close 3rd
Results determined by criteria including Admission/Senior Discount, Blue Badge Parking, On-Site Assistance, Wheelchair Accessibility, Deaf/Hard of Hearing Accessibility and Number of Cafes, Restaurants and Rest Areas
Research conducted by Age UK finds that 1 in 3 (4.4million) or 36% of over 60’s feel less motivated to do the things they enjoy
Research carried out by Care Specialists New Care Homes has revealed the best days out for over 60’s in the UK this summer.
The team compiled information on some of the UK’s most popular museums, art galleries, botanical gardens and stately homes and gardens and scored them out of a possible 100 to find out which could offer the best days out for older people across the UK.
Key criteria that was scored includes the cost of admission / senior discounts, blue badge parking, on-site assistance and accessibility, number of cafes, restaurants and rest areas.
As the UK begins to open up, there are now more opportunities than ever before to get out and explore. However, for many older people across the UK, getting out and visiting some of our national institutions can be a challenge, especially when it comes to things like accessibility, walking distances and opportunities to have a rest and grab some refreshments.
And the Covid-19 pandemic has only created more uncertainty. A survey carried out by Age UK finds that 1 in 3 (4.4million) or 36% of over 60’s feel less motivated to do the things they enjoy, while another survey conducted by the ONS found that two in five (39%) over 70s said they felt unsafe and unsure when outside of their home.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly had an impact on the health of older people across the UK. When lockdowns came into effect many struggled to maintain a healthy level of physical difficulty. And as the surveys by the Age UK and ONS have indicated, issues such as anxiety, depression and isolation have increased as a result, which has had a considerable and lasting impact on their mental health.
“As the UK begins to come out of lockdown and measures ease, there are now more opportunities for older people to stay active and find engaging activities. Museums, art galleries, botanical gardens and stately homes often have excellent facilities and allow visitors to explore at a pace that suits them, which makes them a perfect choice for a day out.
“We hope this list will help inspire people to head out and explore these amazing venues, and be safe in the knowledge that they will have the best help and support on hand throughout their visit.”
The Results
Rank
Venue
Type
Total score
Location
1
Natural History Museum
Museum
95
London
2
National Space Centre
Museum
93.8
Leicester
3
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Botanical Garden
93.2
Edinburgh
4
The Whitworth
Art Gallery
93
Manchester
5
Victoria and Albert Museum
Museum
92.5
London
6
Lyme Park
Historic House + Garden
92.1
Cheshire
7
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Art Gallery
92.1
Glasgow
8
British Museum
Museum
92
London
9
The Eden Project
Botanical Gardens
92
Cornwall
10
Royal Academy of Arts
Art Galleries
92
London
A spreadsheet with the full results can be found here
According to the NHS, Older adults (60+) should aim to do some type of physical activity every day and offer this advice:
Try to be physically active every day. Any activity is better than none. The more you do the better, even if it’s just light activity
Do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity if you are already active, or a combination of both
Do activities that improve strength, balance, and flexibility on at least 2 days a week
Reduce time spent sitting or lying down and break up long periods of not moving with some activity
Festive light spectacular confirms new installations for 2020
Botanics will host NHS workers in gratitude for work throughout Covid-19 pandemic
With just a month until Christmas at the Botanics opens, the team behind one of Edinburgh’s festive favourites has confirmed new installations that will feature in the 2020 trail.
Over the 32-night run, visitors to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh can once again embark on an extraordinary night-time adventure, following a trail of glimmering lights and sparkling illuminations.
In tribute to the hard work and dedication of Scotland’s NHS staff, the Botanics will this year invite 200 Blue Light card holders to mark the opening of the much loved trail, which has become a seasonal staple and source of joy for many across the capital and beyond.
With glittering trees aplenty – many reaching tens of metres high – visitors will be able to weave through the enchanting displays and enjoy over 900m of illuminated garlands, the Cathedral of Light and Laser Garden, as well as this year’s myriad of new and spellbinding installations for a night filled with botanical and festive wonders.
New for 2020, and helping share a generous sprinkling of seasonal cheer, is ‘Starfield’ – which is set to wow guests with a display of 20 giant LED twinkling stars. Produced by audio-visual designers ArtAV – who created an interactive floor projection at the 2019 trail – Starfield will be the first stop for those looking for that magical moment or the perfect Instagram snap.
In keeping with this year’s ‘star’ theme, visitors can marvel upon brand-new installation, ‘Constellations’, a dazzling arrangement of six constellations – Orion, the Big Dipper, Pegasus, Cassiopeia, Little Bear and Aquila – made using 60 perfectly placed glowing stars.
Also added to this year’s winter speculator is ‘Cyclamens’ – an installation created by Liverpool Lantern Company – which has recreated the tuberous perennial in 30 three-metre-high bright blooms.
Rounding off the new installations for 2020’s festive extravaganza is ‘21 Diamonds’ which will beam a breath-taking lightshow onto the Botanics’ iconic 1960s Glasshouses. Designed by Edinburgh-based Lightworks, the new attraction will enable visitors to see the invaluable Glasshouses – home to the Botanics’ indoor Living Collection of plants – in a completely new light.
Simon Milne MBE, Regius Keeper at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “The opening of Christmas at the Botanics is always a highlight in our calendar at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, but never more so than this year.
“It not only forms an important part of our 350th anniversary celebrations but presents an opportunity for some much need festivity as we near the end of a difficult year for everyone. A year which has intensified the interdependencies of the health of people and the health of the environment.
“The festive trail not only helps us showcase and accentuate botanical diversity, but it also reinforces the beauty of nature and the importance of conservation in the race against time against the growing impact of the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis.”
Jonathan Marks, Chief Development Director at Raymond Gubbay, a division of Sony Music, which promotes Christmas at the Botanics, added: “This year hasn’t been easy and, as one of a handful of festive celebrations able to still be held in Edinburgh, it is great to be able to provide some light relief and share seasonal cheer.
“We want to keep the festive spirit alive in Edinburgh, and we’re pleased to be able to return with a host of festive family favourites and world-first installations that will make for a truly magical night.”
Christmas at the Botanics is one of seven illuminated trails produced by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is held in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.
AN Edinburgh woman who was inspired to become a cancer scientist after her grandmother’s life was extended following pioneering treatment, is calling on men and women to Walk All Over Cancer and help raise money for vital research.
Kristel Sepp, a PhD student at the Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, is urging people to sign up now and get sponsored to walk 10,000 steps a day in March.
Scientist Kristel, aged 28, from Leith, knows first-hand how important research is to people with cancer after losing her beloved grandmother to the disease.
Senta Sosi died from pancreatic cancer aged just 63 years old, while Kristel was studying for a degree in chemistry at the University of Edinburgh.
It was saying goodbye to her grandmother that drove Kristel, originally from Kuressaare in Estonia, to become a cancer scientist. After completing her undergraduate degree, she joined the Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre to study for a PhD in optical medical imaging.
Kristel said: “My grandma was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer before I started high school. It was really hard for all the family. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat and we didn’t know what to expect.
“But, after surgery and chemotherapy, she lived for another five years. I’m so grateful that thanks to her treatment we got to spend more time with her – and that she got to see the birth of another granddaughter, my cousin.
She continued: “It was research that developed the treatment that gave my grandma more time with her family. That’s why I decided I wanted to become a cancer researcher, and why I’m calling on people in Edinburgh to sign up with me to Walk All Over Cancer and raise money to help more people have more time with their family and friends.”
Kristel works at the Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre on a technique called stimulated Raman scattering microscopy (SRS), which allows her to study how drugs behave in cancer cells in real time.
She explained: “To be able to study a drug in this way, we get a better understanding of where the drug goes in cancer cells – does it go where we expect it to go in order to kill the cancer cells? This has been a big challenge for scientists up until now.
“I’ve been studying how drugs behave in chronic myeloid leukaemia cells. Some patients with this type of blood cancer stop responding to treatment because their cancer becomes resistant to the drugs.
“I’ve been using SRS to look at how one drug used to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia behaves in cancer cells that are sensitive to the treatment, compared to cancer cells that are resistant to it.
“By understanding clearly how drugs behave in cancer cells in real time, it could help scientists to develop better cancer treatments more quickly and at less expense.”
As well as working on ground-breaking cancer research, Kristel enjoys keeping fit and tries to walk 10,000 steps every day as part of her exercise plan. She uses a fitness tracker on her wrist to keep track of how many steps she’s taken.
She said: “I like to walk because I enjoy the fresh air and the health benefits of walking. If it’s the weekend, I like to walk to the top of Arthur’s Seat. Day to day, I’ll do things like walk to the gym and back to try to get in as many steps as I can.”
She continued: “If you take on the Walk All Over Cancer challenge, it’s up to you how you reach 10,000 steps per day. You could take on the challenge on your own or with family, friends and colleagues. And you can try to find ways to fit your steps in around your other daily activities. For example, I like to walk when I’m Skyping my mom. That way I can get my steps in and catch up with what’s going on back home in Estonia at the same time.”
Keeping check on the number of steps taken each day has never been easier, with many smartphone apps, pedometers and wearable activity trackers.
Victoria Steven, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for Scotland, said: “Signing up to Walk All Over Cancer is a great way to kick-start a healthier lifestyle, now that Spring is just around the corner.
She added: “Walking 10,000 steps is equal to about five miles, based on the average person’s strides. That’s quite a challenge for many people. But adopting small lifestyle changes – from walking to work or taking the stairs instead of the lift – can help make the goal feel achievable.”
In Scotland, a fifth (20 per cent) of people are getting less than 30 minutes of physical activity a week.
Not only will taking on the challenge help raise money, it has health benefits as well. Moderate exercise can help build stamina, burn excess calories and protect against a range of diseases including cancer.
Victoria continued: “By signing up now, there’s time to plan ways to fit in some extra steps in March. Everyone who gets sponsored to go those extra miles will be making a real difference to the 88 people diagnosed with cancer every day in Scotland.
“Cancer survival has doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress – but every step our doctors, nurses and scientists take relies on donations from the public and the tireless fundraising of our supporters.”
Bannockburn High School in Stirling and Duncanrig Secondary School in East Kilbride were named joint winners of the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) annual Green Plan It Challenge in Scotland at an awards ceremony at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh this week.Continue reading Schools celebrate success in RHS garden design competition
A poetic and artistic rallying-call for us all to stay connected with nature is set to inspire adults and children at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE). The Lost Words (May 19 – September 2) is a stunning collection of “spell” poems” and nature paintings – taking the form of both a book and an exhibition – in an award-winning collaboration between writer Robert Macfarlane and artist Jackie Morris. Continue reading Finding hope for nature: Botanics welcomes The Lost Words
