Multi-Cultural Family Base(MCFB) is delighted to invite you to a dance performance on October 10th between 7 and 9 pm.
This event is the official launch of our programming for the Edinburgh 900 commemorations, entitled “Roots for Routes”. The concept behind this name is that through celebrating and honouring heritage and culture, we find ways to grow towards the future.
Some of our young people from the MCFBards are collaborating with the PASS performance group to create a full length piece based on their poetry.
Please see the attached invitation. If you are able to attend, please follow this link to our Eventbrite: https://tinyurl.com/Roots4Routes
We hope you are able to join us for this evening of art and celebration!
EIF attracts new audiences with Affordable Tickets and Innovative Experiences
The 2024 Edinburgh International Festival was more inclusive than ever: more than twice the number of tickets were issued to under 18s, young musicians, and D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent audiences compared to last year.
The most expansive affordable ticket offer to date saw over 50% of tickets for the 2024 International Festival sold at £30 or less, with over 5,000 £10 tickets purchased by those who needed them most — a 100% increase on 2023.
Scottish talent took centre stage, with 50% of performers from or based in Scotland, all five national performing companies featured, and over 200 specialist freelancers, demonstrating the essential role of Scotland’s arts sector in delivering the International Festival.
The 2024 Edinburgh International Festival concluded yesterday after an exhilarating 24-day celebration of opera, dance, music and theatre in Scotland’s capital. With over 160 ticketed performances and more than125,000 attendees across the city’s venues, the Festival showcased 21 world, European, UK and Scottish premieres affirming its role as an essential destination for arts and culture.
Under the leadership of Festival Director and Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti, the theme Rituals That Unite Us successfully brought together over 2,000 internationally renowned artists from 42 nations, exploring the deep connections which bind us all through live performance.
At the heart of this year’s Edinburgh International Festival was a commitment to ensuring that cost is not a barrier to cultural discovery, making high-quality art accessible to the broadest possible audience.
Over 50% of tickets were sold at £30 or less, and more than 5,000 targeted £10 tickets were sold — a 100% increase on last year. Double the number of free tickets were taken up by NHS staff, charity workers, and low-income benefit recipients through the Tickets for Good programme, marking the highest uptake since the Festival signed up to the initiative.
Additionally, the number of D/deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent concession tickets doubled, with twice as many people enrolling for the Access Pass, which provides a tailored experience for audience members with access requirements.
The International Festival reaffirmed its dedication to nurturing the next generation of artists and audiences, with a notable increase in young people attending and participating. This year saw more than triple the number of free tickets to young musicians issued through the Young Musician’s Pass compared to 2023 and U18s ticket purchases rose by 100% from 2023.
Over half of all bookers were new to the Festival this year, the highest level since the pandemic. The International Festival also focused on talent development, with initiatives like Rising Stars providing early career artists with invaluable opportunities to work and perform alongside professional mentors such as the Leonore Piano Trio and Yura Lee.
As an international festival deeply rooted in Scotland, an impressive 50% of the artists were from Scotland in 2024, highlighting the exceptional calibre of local talent alongside their international peers.
This included approximately 250 multigenerational performers in the world-first Healing Arts Scotland Opening Celebrationat the Scottish Parliament, and representation from all five Scottish national performing arts companies—National Theatre of Scotland, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
The International Festival also employs over 200 specialist freelancers and relies every year on a pipeline of talented writers, actors, musicians, dancers, singers, producers, facilitators, technicians and cultural workers.
In the precarious funding landscape currently faced by the Scottish arts sector, the Festival remains committed to supporting and advocating for the indispensable community of creative individuals and organisations of which Scotland can rightly be proud.
Under the theme of ‘Rituals That Unite Us’, the 2024 International Festival programme also reimagined ways in which live performance could bring audiences and artists closer together.
Audiences sat in beanbags to enjoy six informal concerts at the Usher Hall, including Brazil’s Ilumina, The Hallé, and the European Union Youth Orchestra, while The Hub series once again welcomed audiences into the home of the International Festival for intimate and unforgettable performances from around the world.
Six artist rehearsals were made accessible to the public and schools, offering a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creative process, while 20 Q&A sessions were offered by artists after their performances to deepen the experience for attending audiences.
Offering a deeper look into the Festival’s inner workings, 36 audio introductions, hosted by Kate Molleson and Nicola Benedetti, featured insights from artists, programmers, and creatives behind the programme’s performances.
Listened to 32,794 times by audiences, The Warm Up invited artists to discuss the unique rituals they undergo before creating a piece or stepping onto the stage. Nicola Benedetti also made her BBC Radio 3 presenting debut in a six-part series focusing on the origin story and impact of the International Festival, which continues to broadcast until 7 September.
Additionally, nineteen concerts from the Festival were recorded for BBC Radio 3 and will be available on BBC Sounds. More than 130 behind-the-scenes videos shared across the International Festival’s social media channels garnered 1 million views from online audiences.
Additionally, over 300 people enjoyed a free VR experience with the Philharmonia Orchestra at the Festival’s inaugural Community Connections Hub, held this year in the Edinburgh suburb of Broomhouse. Following this, 2,000 attendees attended a Family Concert at the Usher Hall, where young music lovers had the chance to experience the Philharmonia Orchestra in person, with Festival Director Nicola Benedetti performing on violin.
Over 7,000 people joined together for a new ritual for the city and the International Festival at the highly anticipated Opening Event: Where to Begin, presented in partnership with The Macallan. Where to Begin launched Edinburgh’s festival season with an immersive experience at the historic Old Town site of George Heriot’s, brought to life by the creative team at Pinwheel.
Festival Director, Nicola Benedettisaid, “Our Festival has been an outstanding success this year. The theme, Rituals That Unite Us, resonated in profound ways with our visiting artists and home community. Although we bring stories from around the world, they change when they interact with the unique spirit of Edinburgh, artist upon artist expressing their awe and desire to return.
“We diversified the experiences in our venues, making the Festival as accessible and affordable as possible. Beanbags returned, as did the intimacy of our home, the Hub. We programmed exceptional international premieres, doubled the number of Under 18 tickets on last year, and tripled the Young Musician’s Pass attendees – an initiative that offers free Festival tickets to young musicians.”
“Against a tumultuous backdrop of funding crisis, two aspects of our identity were reinforced and strengthened. We are deeply rooted in Scotland, and will continue to present the best of Scottish talent alongside our international counterparts.
“Most importantly, we are making an indelible impact on access to culture for our local community. To present the world’s greatest art to the broadest possible audience is what we are here to do.”
Chief Executive, Francesca Hegyisaid “Our theme for this year’s programme, Rituals that Unite Us, beautifully captured the sense of togetherness felt throughout this past month. There’s something profound and powerful about this shared experience that brings people from every corner of the world and all walks of life together.
“As we celebrate this year’s Festival, we must also recognise the current fragility of the Scottish cultural sector. With 50% of our 2024 artists hailing from Scotland, the Festival relies on exceptional local talent both on and off the stage and we are deeply concerned about the ongoing survival of our creative community.
“The International Festival is the original spark that lit this city’s path to becoming the world’s Festival City. “Now, 77 years later, we thank you for joining us once again for the ritual that we look forward to each year: the Edinburgh International Festival.”
Katherina Radeva’s life-affirming performance piece, 40/40, has been specially selected to showcase at the world’s most prestigious international contemporary dance industry gathering, internationale tanzmesse nrw, taking place in Dusseldorf from 28 – 31 August.
The critically acclaimed 40/40 from Two Destination Language (a collaboration between Katherina & Alister Lownie) is one of a small number of full-length, tour-ready productions invited from across the world (and the only one from the UK from 900 proposals) for the event’s revered Performance programme.
Designed to showcase the latest ‘originality of movement and choreographic practice, relevant topics and aesthetics, a wide geographic spread, and a diversity of backgrounds’, the Programme is keenly anticipated by international artists, promoters and programmers.
Described as ‘dancing joy in defiance of convention’, in 40/40, Katherina celebrates her 40 years as a woman, a migrant and an artist.
Katherina says: “The production is the result of 40 years of joy, migrancy and hardship, laughter and tears, super tunes and super moves.”
Audiences are invited to ‘join the middle-aged woman revolution by dancing, claiming and reclaiming the beautiful, glorious and messy complexities of womanhood. From the little girl dancing at her parents’ student parties, to the teenage rhythm gymnast who was body-shamed, to the creative who refuses to be categorised, 40/40 comprises all the joys and sorrows of 40 years.’
Katherina added: “40/40 is a work which pushes at so many boundaries with humour and joy and for us it is a real privilege to be a part of the current dialogues and critical thinking in dance.”
40/40 received research and development funding from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland and support from Tramway Glasgow and Dance Base Scotland.
Alongside 40/40, Scotland-based artist, Dr Aby Watson has been selected to present their work Back and Forth and Forth and Back – a new work in development as part of the event’s Insights programme.
Commissioned by Unlimited, with funding from Creative Scotland and support from The Work Room, The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Level Centre, Aby’s emerging piece is an immersive, experimental choreography of rhythm, repetition and sensorial play that centres neurodivergent adult audiences, with the performance embodying Aby’s innovative practice research in neuroqueer choreography.
Ahead of the gathering, Aby says: “I hope to connect with delegates who share my values with radical access and inclusion, and make connections with producers, venues, festivals, and other artists to support the development of my work, whilst experiencing exciting international dance work to nourish myself creatively.”
In addition to the artists who will be performing, The Work Room (supported by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland) is supporting a delegation of independent dance artists and choreographers from across Scotland to attend including Mark Bleakley, Mele Broomes, Salma Faraji, Bridie Gane, Dorine Mugisha, Skye Reynolds and Kathryn Spence.
For full information about our delegates, take a look at our dedicated Tanzmesse 2024 webpages on the Creative Scotland website.
Anita Clark, Director at The Work Room said: “International collaboration and exchange expands our perspective and understanding.
“Through the Dance from Scotland presence at International Tanzmesse nrw 2024, dance artists from Scotland will have the opportunity to meet with peers from across the world and develop vital international connections to further their work.”
Paul Burns, Interim Director of Arts at Creative Scotland said: “We are excited to be spotlighting the incredible talents of Scottish artists at this most important of international platforms for contemporary dance and performance.
“Scotland rightly has a strong reputation for both showcasing and creating world-class dance, with Scottish companies regularly touring the globe, or welcoming exceptional international artists to our shores.
“The event has an unparalleled potential to support delegations from Scotland to develop their networks and unlock a range of international opportunities.”
The 2024 Edinburgh International Festival begins today with the first of more than 160 events in an exhilarating 24-day celebration of opera, dance, music and theatre in Scotland’s capital city. More than 2,000 internationally renowned artists from across 42 nations, including more than 1,000 Scottish artists, will perform.
The International Festival opens with Opening Event: Where to Begin, an immersive outdoor experience in partnership with The Macallan single malt Scotch whisky. The event is set to welcome thousands in central Edinburgh, blending installation, projection and live performance for only three nights, from2 – 4 August.
First week highlights include: the world-premiere staged adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s bestselling memoir The Outrun, the Scottish premiere of Argentinian composer Osvaldo Golijov’s La Pasión según San Marcos, and the UK production premiere of Carmen, direct from Paris’s legendary opera house, Opéra-Comique.
To ensure that cost isn’t a barrier to cultural discovery, 2024 sees our most generous concessions policy to date: 50% of tickets for the 2024 International Festival are sold at £30 or less. More than 4,000 £10 Affordable Tickets across every event in the programme have already been allocated to those who need them, and many more are still available. Tickets can be purchased from www.eif.co.uk.
TODAY, the Edinburgh International Festival opens its 24-day programme of more than 160 events for its 77th edition. The original festival, the one that started it all in Edinburgh, runs 2 – 25 August, and features a hand-picked programme of the world-leading artists in theatre, dance, music and opera, framed by the theme of ‘Rituals That Unite Us’.
More than 2,000 artists from across 42 nations will perform at the International Festival this August, in a major moment in the international arts calendar. Over 1,000 of these performers are from Scotland, and all five Scottish national performing arts companies are represented in this year’s programme.
In 2024, Festival Director Nicola Benedetti’s second year, the International Festival brings 5 world premieres, 13 UK and Scottish premieres, and 2 European premieres to Edinburgh, including an extensive opera programme, with promenade opera Oedipus Rex in the National Museum of Scotland and two staged operas from major international companies: Carmen from the Opéra Comique and The Marriage of Figaro fromKomische Oper Berlin.
Kicking off the International Festival, Opening Event: Where to Begin invites nearly 10,000 visitors and locals alike to ignite their festival season with a communal experience which evokes the mythology and history of Scotland’s rich heritage. The new event in Edinburgh’s festival traditionwill transform the grounds and magnificent renaissance architecture of George Heriot’s with immersive installation, live performance and video projection.
Presented in partnership with The Macallan, with creative producer Pinwheel and support from EventScotland, the Opening Event runs across three nights from Friday 2 August to Sunday 4 August. Tickets are available online for £15 and concessions from £7.50 are available.
The first week of the International Festival also features not-to-be-missed performances from some of the world’s leading artists, including:
The world premiere of The Outrun,the stage adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s best-selling memoir. Brought to life by Olivier Award-winning playwright Stef Smith, director Vicky Featherstone and Edinburgh’s producing theatre The Royal Lyceum Theatre Company,The Outrun will run throughout August at the Church Hill Theatre.
The most popular French opera in the world, Carmen, direct from Opéra-Comique – the Parisian opera house where it all began. The new production of Georges Bizet’s masterpiece is brought to the stage by director Andreas Homoki, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and Music Director of the Opéra-Comique, Louis Langrée, with an international cast led by Gaëlle Arquez as Carmen; runs 4-8 August at the Festival Theatre.
A two-part opening weekend exploring different ways of telling the same story, with two distinct interpretations of the Passion: Latin American and Afro-Cuban musical styles mix with contemporary classical expressions in the Scottish premiere of Osvaldo Golijov’sLa Pasión según San Marcos,on 3 August at Usher Hall. On 4 August at Usher Hall, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, their Chief Conductor Ryan Wigglesworth and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus take on Johann Sebastian Bach’s masterpiece, the St Matthew Passion.
The UK premiere of Penthesilea,Internationaal Theater Amsterdam’s production of Heinrich von Kleist’s classic. Ferocious and emotionally charged, Penthesilea is a powerful fusion of a rock concert and an ancient tragic love story, likened to Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet; runs 3-6 August at The Lyceum.
The Scottish premiere of Please right back, award-winning company 1927’s new family production combining fantastical animations with bold storytelling to explore the effects of the criminal justice system; runs 2-11 August at The Studio.
2024’s programme also offers an increased range of innovative and informal audience experiences, designed to create a closer union between artists and audiences.
Beanbag concerts are back after popular demand, designed to immerse audiences in an orchestral experience. Inspired by the work of Budapest Festival Orchestra founder and conductor Iván Fischer, audiences can take in the thrill and drama of the orchestra from the comfort of a beanbag or choose standard seating in the circle or balcony. Beanbag seating is still available for concerts by Brazil’s Ilumina, the Edinburgh Festival Chorus and the European Union Youth Orchestra conducted by Gianandrea Noseda.
The Hub, the International Festival’s home on the Royal Mile, once again hosts the most intimate performances in informal surroundings. During August, The Hub is home to The Hub Club Cafe (11am-6.30pm; food service until 5pm) & Bar (6.30pm – late), with drop-in open-doors rehearsals and ‘Ask the Artist’ moments on select days. The Hub music series is truly international – spanning Scotland, Ireland, Wales, India, China, Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, US, Germany, Egypt, Estonia and West Africa, with these artists sharing their musical heritage, cultures and rituals.
Edinburgh International Festival Director, Nicola Benedetti said: “As we raise the curtain to open this year’s Edinburgh International Festival, we’re reminded of the power of art to unite and inspire us all.
“One of the most moving things in the world, to me, is to see mass, collective effort at work. Each person adding their expertise and experience to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts – and this year’s International Festival programme is the epitome of such a thing.
“I can’t wait for us all to come together this month, to seek, feel and discover something new.”
The 77th Edinburgh International Festival continues to 25 August.
To purchase tickets and for more information, visit www.eif.co.uk.
As a girl who began watching ballet at the age of 10, little did Safia Qureshi realise that one day her interest in dance would lead to a career in helping to improve people’s health and wellbeing.
Safia is currently Director of Evidence and Digital at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, the national improvement agency for health and care in Scotland, whilst also being a volunteer with Scottish Ballet. She is involved with them as part of a ground-breaking initiative that uses dance as an alternative to medication.
Safia, from Penicuik, is one of 3485 NHS volunteers each month, who give up their time to help others. In total, NHS volunteers donated 584,000 hours in 2023-24 – the equivalent of 24,333 days.
She is encouraging others to do their bit and give up some of their spare time, as part of Volunteers Week, which runs from Monday, 3 June until Sunday 9.
Safia said: “I grew up loving ballet. I went to see it with my mum when I was a little, so I’ve always gone to see it when I can.
“I was doing a leadership development course run by the Scottish Government called Project Lift when I first came into contact with Scottish Ballet in a work setting. and they had this idea which they called Colliding Perspectives.
“I was involved in an initiative where small groups of people who were on the course came together with folk from different industries, and one of the companies involved was Scottish Ballet.
“They were looking for help with developing their Dance Health programme so I was straight at the front for that one, saying ‘Let me help!’
“Some colleagues and I were invited for a visit, to meet them and talk about what they were looking for.
“When I was there, I wondered if Healthcare Improvement Scotland might be able to help them, because one of their challenges was persuading healthcare professionals that dance could be used as an alternative to medication.”
Safia initially volunteered with a programme which helped people with Parkinson’s Disease.
She explained: “Having heard about their dance health programme at a high level, I got the opportunity to volunteer with the Dance for Parkinson’s programme that Scottish Ballet was running in Peebles, so I volunteered with them, probably on and off for maybe a year-and-a-half, and that was what really did it for me.
“It was just the most amazing experience, as the classes were run by professional dancers and they treated everyone who was in the room as a dancer. It was all really respectful and the programmes are based on whatever Scottish Ballet are working on, so there’s always a connection back to the company.
“The class became this real community, where people with Parkinson’s and a friend or a partner would come, and we’d all do the class together. It was great for helping people to relax and unwind.
“There were times when I would be blinking back tears at the positivity and community in the room. There’s something really special about the way that dance helped and united us all. I got such a lot from it personally, and it made me more determined that we need to show other people this is something that is amazing.”
With her knowledge as a health and care professional, Safia has been delighted to bring her professional expertise, her contacts within the world of healthcare professionals, plus her love of ballet together, and in turn has made many friends.
She said: “I helped Scottish Ballet set up their research committee and bringing in clinical experts.
“Having been a volunteer for a while, I was thinking some of the exercises that Scottish Ballet do might benefit people with Long COVID.
“We asked some of the patient representatives who’d supported us develop a clinical guideline for people with Long COVID guideline if they would meet with Scottish Ballet and talk them through what might be useful. They then introduced Scottish Ballet to more people in the Long COVID community. There was a real example of thinking differently, and using what you do in a different way to help people.”
Safia added: “When I was 10 years old and going to the ballet with my mum, I wouldn’t have believed this was all possible and that one day, I’d be working with Scottish Ballet. It still catches me every time I go.
“Through volunteering, you meet fascinating people who you would never otherwise have met and you also get to learn about yourself as you broaden your horizons. It’s very rewarding.
“Volunteering makes you feel good in lots of different ways, by doing something that takes you out of your day-to-day routine. I’ve been part of a community I never knew existed, which is lovely and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.”
P6 pupils from the Royal Mile and Abbeyhill Primary Schools and student dancers from Moray House School of Education and Sport came together yesterday to perform Junk Food, written and created for this year’s Pomegranates Festival.
Over the course of the spring term, pupils at both schools took part in several workshops to discuss themes such as why people dance, what dance looks like, and chose a topic of their choice to create a dance piece that was relevant to them.
The pupils chose to discuss ‘Junk Food’ and used this theme to create a short dance piece accompanied by new electronic music by Gourab Dey, with the help of students at the University. The pupils worked on themes like ‘hangry’ and what this looked like as a dance movement, and after several rehearsals they created today’s final dance piece.
Wendy Timmons, Co-Producer of Pomegranates Festival and Senior Lecturer in Dance at Moray House School of Education and Sport said:“Many children that we work with in schools experience dance as part of physical education, and therefore the aesthetic experience of being in a theatre and being on stage is completely new.
“What this project aimed to do was to create a dance piece using their ideas so they would feel more connected with the process. Today’s performance illustrates the quality of work that this process can create, and this came across in the piece.”
The Pomegranates Festival runs until tomorrow (Tuesday 30 April) and is Scotland’s annual festival of international traditional dance.
Initiated and curated by Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland it is presented and produced in partnership with Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland, Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh City Libraries, Dance Base and the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
The Festival finishes with a finale performance on International Dance Day 29 April which includes a new piece of dance created by MC, hip-hop dancer and choreographer-in-residence Jonzi D and performed by 20 Edinburgh-based traditional dancers.
The piece will be accompanied by newly-commissioned poetry by Perth-based poet Jim Mackintosh who will also be launching his new book of poetry We are Migrant at the event, and poems by BBC broadcaster Ian McMillan.
Plus, there will be a screening of a new film by contemporary visual artist and human rights activist Mare Tralla who has been artist-in-residence at this year’s festival.
There will also be a live streamed keynote lecture by Jonzi D on ‘Decolonising the Expressive Arts Curriculum’ tomorrow – Tuesday 30 April at 10am at Paterson’s Land, Moray House School of Education and Sport, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AQ.
The evening marked the opening of The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television following renaming and opening of new campus
The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television(The SI; formerly the MGA Academy of Performing Arts) unveiled its brand new Livingston campus last night at a red-carpet launch event celebrating the renaming of the school and new facilities for its students.
The launch party, held at The SI’s new state of the art facilities in Livingston, Scotland, marks a pivotal rebrand for the school with a name change, a new campus and new management from Ireland’s Silver Rock Studios.
The university is also now expanding its reach to international students for the first time as well as continuing to boost local Scottish talent, positioning Scotland as the go-to destination for success in the creative industries.
All guests, staff, and students were treated to an evening of performances, art installations, and a special performance of Dougie MacLean’s famous Caledonia from the school’s current students.
Alumni from The MGA Academy of Performing Arts, now known as The Scottish Institute, have gone on to success in film and television including playing leading roles in BBC’s Gossip Girl and major West End shows such as The Book of Mormon, Wicked and Six!.
Under its new management from Ireland’s Silver Rock Studios, and with new President and CEO Andy Egan, future students will be guaranteed credits as part of their degree, as part of The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television’s plans to foster the stars of tomorrow.
ELEGIES – Saturday 27 April, 7.30pm Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street
Hamish Henderson (1919-2002), was a soldier-poet and scholar-folk revivalist. Elegies is his first-hand account from the North African desert military campaign for which he won the Somerset Maugham Award.
His dedication of the book: “for our own and the others” sets the story within our own common bonds, fragility and humanity, in the setting of the ‘deadlands’ of Cyrenaica (modern-day Libya). The Elegies also reveal the shared helplessness of those loved ones at home waiting, praying – and dancing.
This production is led by a duo of dancers and choreographers Helen Gould and George Adams who together with dancers Nicola Thomson, Edwin Wen and Aimee Williamson embody and represent the characters from the ten elegies set both in the desert and the dance hall by using ceilidh, jive, swing and lindy hop – the popular social dance culture of the 1940s.
Through their movement directorship Gould and Adams weave into the dance, the reading of the Elegies for the Dead in Cyrenaica by spoken word artists Morag Anderson and Stephen Watt; and specially composed and newly arranged trad music and song by Cera Impala.
Wendy Timmons and Iliyana Nedkova,Elegies co-curators and producers from Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland said: “Elegies is a dance poem of serious reflection – a lament for all lives lost not only in WWII but in our world of conflicts, oppression and inequality.
“We were delighted by the positive reaction we received when it was first performed on Remembrance Day last year, and very proud of everyone who has worked with us on this revised adaptation as part of this year’s Pomegranates Festival.”
Elegies was originally commissioned for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2023, then extended and revised for Pomegranates Festival 2024.
Trad Dance Session
There will be a post-performance lindy hop social dance session, led and accompanied by Pomegranates 2024 resident musicians from the Castle Rock Jazz Band, in the main atrium at the Scottish Storytellling Centre. All welcome. Tickets are Pay What You Can £5, £10 or £15 and available through the Scottish Storytelling Centre Box Office here
The Edinburgh International Festival unveils an expansive programme of world-leading opera, music, theatre and dance from 2-25 August 2024, when the original festival that defines Edinburgh as the world’s Festival City returns for another year.
This is the second year under the helm of Festival Director and Scottish violinist, Nicola Benedetti. ‘Rituals That Unite Us’ is the theme underpinning the 2024 Edinburgh International Festival, responding to an overwhelming desire for togetherness from artists and audiences following on from 2023’s question ‘Where Do We Go From Here?’.
From immersive beanbag concerts and virtual reality to drop-in rehearsals and a site-specific promenade opera, the 2024 programme is defined by a deepened commitment to creating a closer union between audiences and artists through innovative and informal experiences.
To reach the broadest possible audience, 50% of tickets for the 2024 International Festival will be sold at £30 or under, free tickets are available for young musicians, and £10 Affordable Tickets will be available for every performance in the 2024 programme.
Classical Music: Yuja Wang, Elim Chan, Marin Alsop, Jakub Józef Orliński, Alison Balsom, Hilary Hahn, Dame Sarah Connolly, Ian Bostridge, Steven Osborne, Nicola Benedetti, Maxim Emelyanychev, Sir Mark Elder, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Sir Donald Runnicles, Gianandrea Noseda, Jennifer Stumm, Thierry Fischer, Philharmonia Orchestra, Bamberger Symphoniker, Ilumina, The Hallé, European Union Youth Orchestra
Opera: Malin Byström, Opéra-Comique, Komische Oper Berlin, Scottish Opera, Kirill Serebrennikov, Sir Andrew Davis, James Gaffigan, Saimir Pirgu, Golda Schultz
Theatre and Dance: Internationaal Theater Amsterdam, Jack Lowden, Crystal Pite, Grupo Corpo, Aakash Odedra, David Ireland, Vicky Featherstone, Stef Smith, 1927, Eline Arbo, Christiane Jatahy, Scott Silven, Teatro La Plaza
Contemporary Music: Cat Power, Bat for Lashes, Chilly Gonzales, Youssou N’Dour, The Magnetic Fields, The Grit Orchestra, Tirzah, Jordan Rakei, Balimaya Project, Endea Owens, Domo Branch Celtic Music: Breabach, Mànran, Ceilidh Trail, Cätlin and Marko Mägi, Finlay MacDonald and Ali Hutton, Goitse, VRï
Scottish companies and ensembles: Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus, National Theatre of Scotland, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Scottish Opera, National Youth Choir of Scotland, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Edinburgh Festival Chorus, Scottish Ballet
From 2-25 August 2024, Edinburgh International Festival presents a hand-picked selection of leading international and local local artists in the world’s Festival City, with 24 days of world-class opera, dance, music and theatre.
The 2024 programme comprises 161 performances from over 2000 artists across 42 nations, all joined under the theme,‘Rituals That Unite Us’.
The theme responds to an overwhelming desire for togetherness from artists and audiences following on from 2023’s question ‘Where Do We Go From Here?’.
Reasserting the value of shared experiences, the 2024 International Festival celebrates the practices, traditions and festivities that give us meaning and connect us – as a festival, a city, and as a society.
The second year under Festival Director and Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti, the 2024 programme offers an increased range of innovative and informal audience experiences, designed to create closer union between artists and audiences.
Audiences can enjoy a virtual reality experience filmed within an orchestra, a site-specific promenade opera and, by popular demand, an expanded programme of beanbag concerts placing the audience among performers to experience music in a unique way.
The programme also features an all-ages family concert, a participatory dance and music work outside The Scottish Parliament, and post-show talks with artists in The Hub, returning with a bigger programme as the International Festival’s home and ‘green room’. This year the venue will be open to the public for informal dining, drop-in rehearsals and Up Late performances.
There is also a deepened commitment to reach the broadest possible audience, with 50% of tickets for the 2024 International Festival to be sold at £30 or under, thousands of free tickets available for young musicians, and £10 Affordable Ticketsavailable for every performance in the 2024 programme.
Year round, the International Festival offers three pathways for people of all ages and backgrounds to make the most of their creative potential and create a growing social impact in Scotland.
Underpinning the 2024 Festival is an ambition to deepen connections with young people, communities and the arts industry, from a youth takeover day and opportunities for emerging talent to a first-time partnership with an Edinburgh community space and pop-up performances in NHS healthcare settings.
Highlights of the programme include:
Two world premiere theatre productions from Scottish creatives: The Fifth Step, a thrilling new play written byDavid Ireland,directed by Finn den Hertogand starring BAFTA-nominated Scottish actor Jack Lowden; and the stage adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s bestselling memoir,The Outrun, brought to life by Oliver Award-winning playwright Stef Smith, director Vicky Featherstone and Edinburgh’s producing theatre, The Royal Lyceum Theatre Company.
Five extraordinary operas, of which three are staged and two are performed in concert, including Opéra Comique’s production of Bizet’s Carmen with Gaëlle Arquez in the title role; and Komische Oper Berlin’s production of Mozart’sThe Marriage of Figaro, directed by Kirill Serebrennikov. A new production of Stravinsky’sOedipus Rex by Scottish Opera takes over the National Museum of Scotland, performed in promenade with a 100-strong community chorus from across Scotland.
A two-part opening weekend exploring different ways of telling the same great story, with two distinct interpretations of the Passion: Latin American and Afro-Cuban musical styles mix with contemporary classical expressions inthe Scottish premiere of Osvaldo Golijov’sLa Pasión según San Marcos, and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, their Chief Conductor Ryan Wigglesworth and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus take on Johann Sebastian Bach’s masterpiece,the St Matthew Passion, in Mendelssohn’s 1841 version.
The return of beanbag concerts, inspired by Budapest Festival Orchestra’s founder Iván Fischer’s shows last year, with the audience seated on beanbags to experience classical music in a unique way. A variety of musical performances include family-friendly presentations from European Union Youth Orchestra with Gianandrea Noseda, and Barokksolistene’s The Alehouse Sessions, transforming the Usher Hall into a 17th-century English tavern, complete with sea shanties and folk-favourites.
The Opening Event – a large-scale outdoor opening event for 10,000 people evoking the mythology and history of Scotland’s rich heritage, in collaboration with single malt Scotch Whisky, The Macallan, with creative producer Pinwheel. Further details will be announced closer to the event.
The Philharmonia Orchestra in residency, including performances of Verdi’s Requiem (conducted by Santtu-Matias Rouvali) and the International Festival’s Closing Concert, Strauss’s Capriccio (conducted by Sir Andrew Davis), with Malin Byström. The Philharmonia also present the UK premiere of Julia Wolfe’s Fire in my Mouth, a multimedia performance conducted by Marin Alsop, with the National Youth Choir of Scotland.
A stellar dance and theatre offering full of UK, European and World Premieres with leading creatives and companies such as Internaational Theater Amsterdam, Crystal Pite, Kidd Pivot, Grupo Corpo, Aakash Odedra, National Theatre of Scotland, Jack Lowden, 1927, Teatro La Plaza, Émilie Monnet, Waira Nina, Christiane Jatahyand more.
The Bamberger Symphonikerin residence with conductor Jakub Hrůša for three performances that include works by Brahms, Dvořák and Hans Rott, and a family-friendly explainer event, Beyond the Score, taking a deep dive into Dvořák’s New World Symphony.
A final residency with Ilumina, the São Paulo-based artist collective founded by violinist Jennifer Stumm. Known for their model of 21st century creativity and artist-led advancement of diverse talent, their first visit to the International Festival sees them give two concerts with the audience seated on beanbags and two performances in The Hub.
Projects which go beyond the performances on stage with an ambition to create a growing social impact in Scotland through the performing arts, include: a first-time Community Connections Hub, inviting audiences to experience the Philharmonia Orchestra in Virtual Reality within their own community space; Culture Clubs bringing together community groups to explore ‘Rituals that Unite Us’ through a shared meal and performance; pop-up performances in NHS healthcare settings; a Youth Takeover Dayfor senior pupils in Edinburgh schools; and schools performances and workshops across music, opera, theatre and dance for secondary school pupils.
A contemporary music programme including gifted singer-songwriter Cat Power; indie-pop sensation Bat for Lashes; polymath composer and piano personality Chilly Gonzales;beloved orchestral-pop group The Magnetic Fields; one of the most famous voices in African music, Youssou N’Dour; the mighty 80-piece contemporary Scottish GRIT Orchestra; South London electronic singer-songwriter Tirzah; a blend of West African folkloric music, the sounds of Black London and the London jazz scene with Balimaya Project; and a signature mix of electronic and soul from New Zealand-born Jordan Rakei.
Leading soloists include Dame Sarah Connolly, Yuja Wang, Golda Schultz, Alison Balsom, Hilary Hahn, Jakub Józef Orliński, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Ian Bostridge, Steven Osborne and more.
The Hub, the International Festival’s HQ on the Royal Mile, is once again home to the most intimate performances and discussions from virtuosic musicians sharing their respective culture, traditions and rituals through music and instrumentation. A programme of leading Celtic musicians includes Irish quintet Goitse, an International Festival debut from Welsh folk band VRï and the 25th anniversary of Fèis Rois’ Ceilidh Trail. Further across the globe, innovative musicians from Brazil, China, America, Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, West Africa and India come to Edinburgh in a truly international programme.
As part of the International Festival’s ongoing commitment to accessibility, the 2024 programme includes 25 accessible performances, including ten audio described performances, five BSL interpreted performances, and nine captioned performances.
The concession ticket for D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people is increased from 30% to 50% off all full price tickets, with options for a free essential companion ticket still available where required.
The types of accessible seating options held for members of the free Access Pass initiative has also been expanded to include aisle seats and seats with additional leg room, across all Festival venues.
General booking for the 2024 International Festival opens on Thursday 21 March, with tickets currently on-sale to Members and supporters.
Nicola Benedetti, Festival Director, Edinburgh International Festivalsaid: “As we join forces with the world’s greatest artists and bring them here to Edinburgh, we do so with a deeper dedication to our audience.
“This year the Edinburgh International Festival inaugurates new and reimagined rituals, honouring tradition and innovation, to bind us closer together. We invite you to seek and gather with us this August – there is always something new to discover.”
Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walkersaid: “It’s fantastic to see the 2024 programme for the Edinburgh International Festival. This promises to be a unique and exciting chapter in the Festival’s rich history with over 2000 of the world’s extraordinary artists performing here this August.”
“It’s particularly encouraging to see initiatives such as making free tickets available for young musicians, and £10 Tickets available for all performances.
“Given we are in the midst of a challenging cost of living crisis and our festivals have a key role in providing us all with opportunities to enjoy exceptional and entertaining experiences, these will hopefully contribute towards the goal of choice and access for everyone in our city.
“The International Festival is an integral part of the Capital’s cultural calendar and as a Council we’re proud to support it.”
Kaukab Stewart, Scottish Government Minister for Culture and International Development, said: “As we raise the curtain on another Edinburgh International Festival, we’re reminded of the power of art to unite and inspire us all.
“More than 2,000 artists from 42 countries will exhibit their talents, and these extraordinary performances from a diverse range of cultures and traditions reaffirms Scotland’s place as the perfect stage to host major events.
“As the new Minister for Culture, I’m proud to welcome the world to Scotland for the International Festival, and I’m looking forward to enjoying an abundance of exceptional entertainment taking place on our doorstep.”
Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson said: “For more than three quarters of a century, the Edinburgh International Festival has provided a platform for the world-class music and performing arts we are so proud to have in this country, as well as for brilliant artists and musicians from across the globe.
“The millions of people who flock to Edinburgh to enjoy and take part in it each year enrich our lives and fuel our shared economy. That’s why the UK Government is so proud to support it.
“The arts have a unique power to bring us together, and to help us see the world through others’ eyes. I’m delighted that, this year, the International Festival will focus on the rituals that unite us – and look forward to seeing the diverse and dynamic work that theme inspires.”
Iain Munro, Chief Executive, Creative Scotlandsaid: “Nicola Benedetti continues to drive the Edinburgh International Festival programme forward in her second year as Director with another inspired artistic offering.
“This year’s thematic focus on unity and togetherness provides opportunities to blur the lines between artist and audience, promoting connection and communal experience in our increasingly divided world.
“The International Festival continues to earn its reputation as a shining light in the global cultural calendar by uniting people through great art.”
Further programme information by genre:
Classical Music
Edinburgh International Festival welcomes the world’s top orchestras and musicians for 22 spectacular symphonic concerts at Usher Hall and 19 intimate morning recitals at The Queen’s Hall. The symphonic concert series revolves around residencies from three outstanding orchestras and ensembles.
Offering unique perspectives on how we experience a contemporary symphony orchestra, these residencies allow for a more profound engagement with Edinburgh communities, from primary school pupils to emerging artists, extending the orchestra’s presence beyond Usher Hall.
This approach also lowers the environmental footprint for each performance by the visiting artists.
Young people in England set to benefit from 140 new or refurbished youth centres thanks to latest funding round from the UK Government’s Youth Investment Fund of £90 million
Nearly 20,000 more young people will have access to dance, drama and sport as part of the Government’s latest investment in youth services
140 more youth centres to be built or refurbished backed by over £90 million from the Youth Investment Fund
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer officially opens The Chichester Shed – the first new build youth centre funded by the Youth Investment Fund
Young people in villages, towns and cities across England are set to benefit from 140 new or refurbished youth centres thanks to the largest funding round to date from the Government’s Youth Investment Fund.
Totalling more than £90 million, funding announced today (3 February) will support nearly 20,000 more young people per year to access new state of the art facilities such as workshop spaces, sports halls, art rooms, recording studios and skateparks.
Activities ranging from dance, drama and music to sport, horticulture and employment skills development will be on offer, giving young people access to opportunities that broaden their horizons.
Today also marks a major milestone with the very first new build youth centre funded by the Youth Investment Fund opening its doors.
Located in a deprived area with high levels of antisocial behaviour, The Chichester Shed has used a grant of over £420,000 to build a brand new space to support more than 120 young people. The open access service will provide a space to relax and learn new skills, with activities including woodworking, yoga and skateboarding available.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “I want to see every young person have someone to talk to, something to do, and somewhere to go outside of the classroom, no matter where they are from, to help maximise their potential in life.
“This next round of funding from the Youth Investment Fund will help nearly 20,000 more young people achieve this goal.
“We have now committed to building or refurbishing over 220 projects in some of the country’s most underserved areas, creating more opportunities for young people to gain the skills needed to succeed in life and stopping them from falling through the cracks.”
The Youth Investment Fund has now allocated £250 million of its more than £300 million budget to services in areas of the country where need is high and provision is low.
It will engage young people most in need, including those that might have otherwise been at risk of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour or falling out of education, training or employment.
This is the latest announcement that forms part of the Government’s ambition to make sure young people are supported with positive and engaging opportunities both in and outside of school hours.
Clare de Bathe, CEO of Chichester Community Development Trust said: “The Chichester Shed will provide an informal, dynamic and versatile space where young people can connect, learn and experience new activities.
“The space will be a haven for all ages and backgrounds to use throughout the school day and holidays, including intergenerational activities where boundaries can be broken down as well as adult education sessions and group workshops delivered.
“The funding has enabled the project ideas to be brought to a reality and we cannot wait to open the doors.”
Examples of other youth centres receiving grants in this funding round include:
Bodies in Motion, Pendle – a combined grant of over £1.4 million will pay for the refurbishment of Orchid House Gym with new changing facilities and equipment, supporting 290 additional young people a week. The Garden Project will create a community-focused garden and greenhouse facility, engaging an additional 400 young people through therapeutic horticultural activities to promote a sense of wellbeing.
Youth Options, Southampton – a new community café and training centre, backed by £1.2 million investment, will provide a safe haven for nearly 100 additional young people a week in a disadvantaged part of the city.The café will offer training in catering and hospitality, and will be targeted at those not in education, employment, and training, while the indoor space will be transformed to create new activity space and a counselling room.
Positive Futures, Liverpool – The Positive Futures hub will be expanded to provide a sensory room, music rooms, art space, large sports hall and virtual reality spaces to support 250 additional young people a week.
Tinside Cove and Lido, Plymouth – two listed buildings at the Tinside Lido will be renovated to provide space for nearly 300 more young people a week to benefit from new training and educational programmes, while the lido will be used for swimming, snorkelling, diving and life-saving classes.
Weymouth West Air Scouts, Weymouth – The Scouts building will be refurbished with a new shower room, extended kitchen and three breakout rooms, doubling the building’s size and enabling them to run multiple activities at the same time. The project will support nearly 80 more young people a week.
Nick Temple, CEO of Social Investment Business said: “The Youth Investment Fund is transforming the youth service landscape right across the country, enabling youth centres of all shapes and sizes to enhance their services and reach more young people.
I”t’s very exciting to see the first Youth Investment Fund newbuild open its doors to Chichester’s young people today. Before securing the funding, these young people had nowhere safe to go, and nothing to do after school.
“Young people now have a brand-new youth centre, inspired by their ideas and needs, giving them every opportunity to thrive and discover their passions. The Youth Investment Fund is truly unlocking potential and creating a legacy for future generations of young people in communities like this across the country.”
Denise Hatton, Chair of Back Youth Alliance said: “We are delighted that nearly 20,000 young people will be able to access new and refurbished youth clubs through the latest instalment of the National Youth Guarantee.
“With mental health, loneliness and anti-social behaviour all on the rise, now more than ever young people need a safe space to go, a trusted adult to speak to and access to positive activities in their communities all year round.
Ruth Marvel, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), said: “This multi million-pound investment is so much more than skateparks, sports halls and art rooms. It’s an investment in the resilience, confidence and independence of young people, which thanks to the on-going impact of a pandemic and cost of living crisis, has never been more needed.
“We at the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award know first-hand that when you invest in young people, there is no limit to what they can achieve. The government’s National Youth Guarantee has brought the DofE to thousands of young people in England for the first time, breaking down barriers and providing life-shaping activities and volunteering opportunities.”
Today’s announcement forms the latest part of the Government’s ‘National Youth Guarantee’, that will ensure every young person aged 11-18 in England has access to regular clubs and activities, adventures away from home, and volunteering opportunities by 2025, backed by an investment of over £500 million.
The National Youth Guarantee will provide greater access to activities such as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and the National Citizen Service, and uniformed youth groups such as Scouts, Girlguiding, and Cadets.
To further support giving young people the best start in life, in September 2023 the Government announced the opening of the second phase of the £19 million Million Hours Fund, designed to create more than one million additional hours of youth centre provision in areas with high numbers of antisocial behaviour incidents.
Some good news for youth work facilities south of the border then, but here in North Edinburgh the future for children and families provision is looking far from positive. MORE ON THAT NEXT WEEK …
