Festivals – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Edinburgh Tradfest: Full Programme

TRADITIONAL MUSIC | FOLK FILM | STORYTELLING

FESTIVAL DATES: Friday 1 May – Monday 11 May 2026

Edinburgh Tradfest has announced full details of its 2026 programme of traditional music, film, storytelling, workshops, talks, ceilidhs, and special events. Taking place from 1to 11 May at various venues across the city, thanks to continued support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland and the William Grant Foundation.

The festival kicks off with RURA and special guests Astro Bloc at Potterrow on Friday night before moving to the Traverse Theatre for a jam-packed programme of live music. Folk film screenings take place at the Cameo Cinema, and there will be storytelling and special events at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

Music highlights include: folk song sensation and multi award-winner Kim Carnie;Scottish supergroup Session A9; The Furrow Collective (Lucy Farrell, Rachel Newton, Emily Portman, Alasdair Roberts); RANT (Anna Massie, Lauren MacColl, Bethany Reid, Gillian Frame); the Brian Molley Quartet tracing the Scottish roots of jazz; and Séamus and Caoimhe celebrating the culture of their Connemara homeland with dexterous instrumentals and beautiful blood harmonies.

In addition, the international line-up showcases: Rajasthani folk trio SAZ; banjo-playing singer-songwriter from Montreal Kaïa Kater; The Complete Recordings of Hezekiah Procter, a vaudeville act seemingly from the 1920s looking back on the beginnings of country music with Montreal based songwriter Li’l Andy taking on the fictional persona of “Hezekiah Procter”; Gen Z old-time combo The Onlies from Seattle; Scandinavian string trio Northern Resonance; and acclaimed singer, composer, and live-looping artist GANNA Gryniva performing her new album UTOPIA which mixes Ukrainian folk tunes, with Peruvian grooves, jazz-tinged arrangements and electronic soundscapes.

Other must-sees include A’ Chiad Litir (The First Letter), the festival’s new music commission presented by singer songwriter Josie Duncan, celebrating the life of Scots 16^th century poet Marie Maitland whose works explored themes of same-sex attraction; fiddle player Laura Jane Wilkie and folk guitarist Ian Carr; master of the melodeon Tim Edey; The Nexus Project exploring contemporary and ancient Highland bagpipes; multi-award-winning harp and percussion duo Eleanor Dunsdon and Gregor Black; and Deiseil: Dancing in Time– a powerful exploration of the revival of stepdance told through fiddle, feet, stories and Gaelic song.

Also, not to be missed on both weekends during the day, are music workshops led by Bruce Ncube (group singing), Laura Jane Wilkie (fiddle), Anna Massie (guitar) and Cahalen Morrison (songwriting); two glorious instrumental shows: #WorldPlayAStrathspeyDay featuring Madeleine Stewart, Sam Mabbatt, Laura Jane Wilkie and Angus Lyon; and Isla Ratcliff’s Scottish Four Seasons with Kristan Harvey, Emma Tomlinson, Natalie Haas, May Halyburton and Iona Reid; a child-friendly concert on Sunday 3 May, with award-winning singer Fiona Hunter; and this year’s Rebellious Truth talk with folk legend Dick Gaughan in conversation with Dr Lori Watson from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Celtic and Scottish Studies.

Finally, on the last Sunday of the festival, our much loved Spotlight event returns with three amazing up-and-coming combos: Jeri Foreman & Ruth Eliza, Curlew and Dauntless.

At the Scottish Storytelling Centre there is an exciting line-up of ceilidhs, talks, workshops and storytelling sessions all programmed and supported by TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland).These include two storytelling shows: The Cold Heart by storyteller Franziska Droll and musician Greg Harradine which explores the terrible cost that comes with the desire for wealth and belonging; and The Corpse Roadby Daniel Serridge and Heather Cartwright, who perform a collection of stories and songs about the roads that for many, formed their final journey to the grave.

There is also a whole series of free talks, held both online and in-person at the Centre, exploring the roots and origins of the traditional arts. Each with a guest speaker giving a fresh perspective on their artform and asking ‘What is…’ traditional dance, music, craft, and storytelling in a contemporary Scotland? In addition, following the passing of the Scottish Languages Act last year, there will be talks on the central role that Gaelic and Scots play in defining the Traditional Arts in Scotland, as well as Edinburgh’s regular night of Gaelic culture and community Bothan Dhùn Èideann on Fri 8 May.

Alongside these talks there will be various workshops, where participants can get hands-on and learn different skills including step-dance, hand-bound brush making, willow-weaving, Gaelic song, Scots singing for the next generation of Young Scots Sangsters; and using the Ogham alphabet as a prompt for creating improvised music.

These talks and workshops will culminate in a jam-packed Living Heritage Discovery Day on Sunday 10th May which will include a talk with Michael Fortune, one of Ireland’s leading folklorists, to discuss approaches to Intangible Cultural Heritage (Living Heritage) and tradition-bearing. On the day there will also be a Living Heritage Fayre, Come and Try Sessions, and a traditional ‘house cèilidh’.

Furthermore, there will be an exhibition of Highland Story Quilts at the Storytelling Centre created by storyteller and artist Lizzie McDougall (3 April to 10 May); Dougie Mackay returns with Hearth Fire Sessions on Thu 7 May alongside Danica Boyce, Tom Muir and Riikka Palonen; and Claire McNicol andLinda Williamson present their quarterly full-moon celebration Moonspinners with guests Josie Duncan and Anna Lehr and a Beltane theme under the full Flower Moon.

Finally, to celebrate the Outer Hebrides Film Archive’s new website (www.faodailfilm.scot) accordionist composer Pàdruig Morrison with fiddler and Gaelic singer Claire Frances MacNeil, will perform a live score for FAODAIL | FOUND to accompany a screening of some recently digitised archive films from the Outer Hebrides. This event at the Storytelling Centre, is part of the Folk Film Gathering supported by Screen Scotland which returns this year, as part of Edinburgh Tradfest with a selection of films from the world’s archives, and a focus on Scottish culture and traditions.

Other highlights from the Folk Film Gathering’s 12^th edition include the opening film at the Cameo which is a World premiere of a new documentary celebrating the life and work of Trad treasure Jimmy Hutchison,featuring a one-off live concert with Jimmy and his protégé Erika Douglas. Plus, fresh from its acclaimed World premiere in Glasgow, there will be a screening of Sailm nan Daoine or (Psalms of the People) directed by Jack Archer, exploring the rich tradition of Gaelic psalm singing, and featuring Rob MacNeacail; the Scottish premiere of Celtic Utopia, a lively documentary celebrating Ireland’s current folk renaissance and featuring Lankum, The Mary Wallopers, The Deadlians and others; and a rare selection of early silent short films by Bill Douglas screening with the newly-digitised Ring of Truth written by Douglas and produced by students at Strathclyde University in 1996.

International folk film highlights include Czech romance thriller Hastrman about a nobleman/water spirit who faces an agonizing dilemma over whether to remain a wild creature or find happiness in love; 1970s Polish folk horror Lokis, A Manuscript of Professor Wittembach; cult Slovakian classic Perinbaba (The Feather Fairy); Canone Effimero directed by the De Serio brothers showcasing Italy’s vibrant folk traditions and the natural beauty of its local cultures; and the festival’s closing film, the newly-remastered 1954-Ukrainian classic Andriesh with a live performance from Edinburgh’s Ukrainian Choir.

Plus, there will be a rare cinema screening of Heiny Srour’s groundbreaking Lebanese drama-documentary Leila and the Wolves introduced by the Scottish-Palestinian poet Nada Shawa; two films celebrating the work of the Rojava Film Commune in North East Syria; and a special double-bill titled Women in Resistance: featuring Las Damas Azules and Daniel Draper’s Iron Ladies.

Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers of Edinburgh Tradfest said: “At Soundhouse we have a very broad definition of traditional music and are always most excited by those artists carrying it forward in new and innovative ways.

“This year’s line-up is packed with trail-blazing musicians from the USA, Ukraine, Sweden, Ireland and India alongside a broad programme of Scotland’s finest. We’re certain that Edinburgh Tradfest ‘26 will be the best yet!”

Daniel Abercrombie, Scottish Storytelling Centre said:“Tradfest continues to be an important celebration of the traditional arts in Scotland, where Edinburgh gets to show off her blooming spring beauty with a ceilidh welcome for all.

“The Scottish Storytelling Centre and TRACS are proud to provide a programme of storytelling, music, crafts and dance as part of the festivities.”

Jamie Chambers, Folk Film Gathering producer, said: “We’re excited to be back for another year, as the world’s first folk film festival, exploring the many possibilities of what a folk cinema might be.

“As usual, our programme explores a core of rare Scottish films (including a chance to see some very rare work by the brilliant Bill Douglas) placed within a global context of the most exciting community-engaged filmmaking from across world cinema, with films from Lebanon/Palestine, Kurdistan, Ukraine, Peru and Italy.

“In particular, we’re really proud of our special strand exploring some of the different ways in which Eastern European folk tales have been translated to screen”

Siobhan Anderson, Music Officer at Creative Scotland said: “Tradfest 2026 looks to continue the festival’s trend in programming exciting emerging acts alongside household names and international visitors to make an innovative programme.

“New commissions, film screenings and workshops will sit alongside a range of activity across the traditional arts to entertain and delight Edinburgh at the start of the festival season. Creative Scotland is proud to support Soundhouse to sustain this important element of the cultural calendar.”

Edinburgh Tradfest 2026 will run from Friday 1 May to Monday 11 May. For tickets and more information visit edinburghtradfest.com

New Edinburgh Sketcher artworks revealed

Celebrating the Third Year of the Festival City Stories project

Edinburgh Festivals and BUILDHOLLYWOOD Scotland celebrate third year of the Festival City Stories project
Showcasing the partnerships of Edinburgh’s Festivals and local community groups with new collaborative artwork from the Edinburgh Sketcher and a Dundee Street hoardings takeover

Edinburgh’s Festivals, BUILDHOLLYWOOD Scotland and local community groups have come together to celebrate the third year of the Festival City Stories project.

As part of the celebration, new artwork has been unveiled from renowned Edinburgh artist, Mark Kirkham, also known as the Edinburgh Sketcher. Attending events and workshops from across the Festivals’ work with local communities, organisations, charities and schools, he captured their projects through a series of sketches, which were transformed into postcards for the participants to share their own stories and experiences.

These sketches and postcard responses are now presented as a part of an artwork takeover across BUILDHOLLYWOOD Scotland’s hoardings on Edinburgh’s Dundee Street and Wishaw Terrace from 23 February – 8 March this year.

The artwork takeover was unveiled at the event at Edinburgh Printmakers which also featured stories and performances from people involved in year-round partnerships between some of the festivals and local community groups, schools and organisations.

Project participant Sally and Dance leader Albi Mendoza from Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival – Inclusive Latin Dance project at the Dundee Street hoardings takeover | Credit Iain MacKay

Projects featured include:

Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival – Latin Dance Inclusive is a community-based project that introduces young people with disabilities, alongside their parents, carers and families, to the joy of dance in a fun, friendly and inclusive environment.

Edinburgh International Book Festival – Paper Trails is Edinburgh International Book Festival’s multi-year communities project working to tackle literacy inequality and social isolation, in partnership with Edinburgh Libraries and Streetreads.

Noëlle Cobden, Edinburgh International Book Festival – Paper Trails project looks over Edinburgh Sketcher postcards for Festival City Stories at Edinburgh Printmakers | Credit Iain MacKay

EIBF activity so far has included poetry residencies in care homes with the Mobile Library, author talks at Muirhouse Library, an intergenerational storytelling project at Ratho Library and zine-making sessions at Liberton High School Library.

Edinburgh Art Festival – World AIDS Day marked World AIDS Day on 1 December 2025 with a celebration of the ongoing work of Ally Van Tillo: Leith resident, and pioneering activist in the Scottish fight against the AIDS crisis.

People gathered to watch a documentary, participate in a table discussion, and experience a musical performance before congregating outside for a torchlight procession.

Edinburgh International Festival – Welcome to the International Festival was a course tailored for international residents in Edinburgh, inviting group members to explore how experiencing different cultures connect us through workshops. These culminated in an international community meal featuring performances by International Festival performers.

Edinburgh International Children’s Festival – Creative Encounters – Election performance. Part of Imaginate’s landmark project, Creative Encounters, Election by Bishop May Down, commissioned by North Edinburgh Youth Arts Collective, imagined children as bigwig decisionmakers with the power to make real change. Three eleven-year-olds in oversized suits and fake moustaches delivered a political manifesto, offering a child’s perspective on what is valuable in the world.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe – Generation Fringe, formerly Fringe Young Ambassadors, works with young people from high schools around Edinburgh to explore careers pathways to the arts. The project aims to engage and inspire young people, introducing them to parts of the industry they might not have known existed, and provides opportunities to visit Fringe venues and arts spaces around Edinburgh.

Scottish International Storytelling Festival – BSL Apprenticeship Programme. Hosted by Deaf storyteller Tania Allan, the Festival set up the BSL storytelling workshops at the Blackwood Bar, to provide a welcoming space where the Deaf community can come together to share stories, humour, memories or anything they feel inspired to perform in BSL.

Edinburgh International Film Festival – In Conversation. Edinburgh International Film Festival’sdynamic programme offers audiences the opportunity to engage directly with filmmakers and creative talent, through In Conversation events and post-screening Q&As.

To find out more about all projects, visit:

www.edinburghfestivalcity.com/about/stories

Belinda McElhinney, Chair, Festivals Edinburgh said: “Residents are the lifeblood of our festivals and so it’s great to have this opportunity to highlight the year-round partnerships between the festivals and their local communities, with thanks especially to BuildHollywood Scotland for their support and to the Edinburgh Sketcher who beautifully presents the many festival community projects in his unique creative style.”

Charlotte Black, General Manager, BUILDHOLLYWOOD Scotland has said: “It’s been a real pleasure to once again champion the many incredible stories behind our city’s leading festivals and their collaborations with our vibrant, creative communities, organisations and schools.

“Through the magic of the Edinburgh Sketcher and handwritten postcards from participants, these stories have been brought to life beautifully. Together, they form a series of rich visuals we’re proud to platform across our posters and billboard sites throughout the city.”

Mark Kirkham, The Edinburgh Sketcher has said: “I am so pleased to work with Festivals Edinburgh and BUILDHOLLYWOOD Scotland to create these sketches that showcase the great community work that many of Edinburgh’s festivals are doing as part of the Festival City Stories project.

“Seeing the work going on behind the scenes in my community and meeting the many people who are coming together to help others and to make lives easier for locals and visitors to the city has been a very positive and hopeful experience.

“I hope these sketches capture some of the energy of these happy occasions and lead to more people taking an interest and finding out more about the events the Edinburgh festivals are running within the city throughout the year.”

Mark Kirkham at the Dundee Street hoardings | Credit Iain MacKay

Showcasing Scotland’s arts festivals

£1.8 million to expand funding reach

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has announced £1.8 million in grant support for arts and cultural festivals to put the spotlight on artistic talent across the country.

The funding is available to non-profit arts and cultural festivals in Scotland and is designed to help them ‘push creative boundaries’ and enhance their international reputation on the world stage.

The fund builds on the success of the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund and helps deliver a key commitment in the Scottish Budget 2025-26 to expand the reach of the fund across Scotland.

Awards of up to £200,000 will be available in the first year and will be administered by Creative Scotland. The grants can be used for raising the international profile of festivals and to support other areas vital to their success, such as for sector and talent development and to open access to educational groups.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Scotland has a wealth of outstanding festivals up and down the country. They are at the at the heart of our culture sector and national life, bringing us together through our enjoyment of art, literature, music and other performing arts.

“By increasing investment into festivals across the country we are supporting their commissions of and collaborations on new and exciting works, increasing opportunities for participation in creative pursuits and ensuring Scotland’s cultural highlights can be enjoyed at home and abroad.

“The new fund is a direct result of discussions through the Strategic Partnership for Festivals, a focal point that brings together diverse representation from arts festivals and a broader range group of partners who support them.

“Collaboration with the sector is vital and this group will be crucial in supporting the implementation and development of this fund in the coming months.”

Chief Executive of Creative Scotland Iain Munro said: “Scotland’s festivals are a vibrant celebration of our creativity and culture, recognised and enjoyed by local communities and people from around the world.

“The expanded festivals fund is a new opportunity to profile incredible creative work in every corner of the country and support other areas vital to success – from sector and talent development to further experimentation and space to develop ambitions with specific groups and communities.

“Working with festivals nationwide, this investment will support artists, widen community engagement and further strengthen Scotland’s impressive international reputation.”

Further information and detailed guidance notes for festivals will be available through Creative Scotland.

OPEN LETTER: Hidden Door Festival Director on the importance of supporting the arts

Arts venues and cultural events need your support now more than ever: Hazel Johnson, Festival Director at Hidden Door, invites you to be part of something special at The Paper Factory this week

Scotland’s arts scene is vibrant, innovative, and utterly vital to our national identity, wellbeing and economy. Yet, like many sectors, it faces unprecedented challenges, from funding pressures to the ever-shifting landscape of audience engagement. Cities like Edinburgh are at their best when they have cultural venues that can thrive all year round, not just in festival season.

This week, we launch our most ambitious venture yet. The Paper Factory is a magnificent, abandoned industrial site which we’re transforming into a vibrant new arts venue hosting an amazing programme of music, visual art and performance. It’s a monumental undertaking, driven by a passionate team of volunteers, and its success hinges, quite simply, on audiences coming along to experience it.

Hidden Door was born from a belief that Edinburgh needs vibrant cultural venues that offer something different. By literally and figuratively opening up forgotten spaces for the arts, we create a place where creative talent can flourish.

We exist to provide a vital platform for new and emerging artists in Scotland, offering them the crucial opportunity to experiment and reach new audiences.

From our diverse music lineup, including promising local bands selected from hundreds of open call applications, to the captivating, site-specific art installations and immersive performances that bring The Paper Factory’s history to life – every element of Hidden Door is designed to be unique and unforgettable.

We were fortunate this year to benefit from the Creative Scotland Development Fund – a fiercely competitive pot of funding. We are also hugely grateful to the sponsors and partners who believe in us enough to generously give their support.

This support has meant we can be as accessible and inclusive as possible. This year we have offered more concessions and free tickets than ever before, including a “pay what you can” option to help us better serve the many different communities across the city.

But the stark truth is that as a volunteer-run charity, we rely on ticket sales. The magic we create, the opportunities we provide for artists, and our ability to keep opening up new, surprising spaces for the arts across our city – all of it depends on you stepping through our ‘hidden door’.

Your ticket isn’t just access to a great night out; it’s an investment in Edinburgh’s creative future, a vote of confidence in the artists who are shaping our cultural landscape, and a lifeline that allows us to continue our unique work. Without you, non-profit organisations like Hidden Door simply can’t exist.

We’ve all seen much-loved venues and arts organisations forced to close, a worrying trend accelerated by ongoing economic uncertainties. The impact from these external factors on the arts sector is all too real, with arts venues and cultural events needing your support now more than ever.

So I invite you to join us at The Paper Factory this week, from Wednesday to Sunday. Come and discover the energy, witness the innovation, and be part of a truly unique cultural moment.

If you want Hidden Door to keep doing what we do, transforming forgotten spaces and championing incredible local talent, then please come down and support us. We’ve been doing this for over a decade, and with you on board, we’ll keep doing it.

Hazel Johnson

Festival Director, Hidden Door

Successful year for the 35th Edinburgh International Children’s Festival

87% of all Tickets sold

Over 17,000 attendance (11% increase from 2024)

Returning 30 May – 7 June 2026

The 35th Edinburgh International Children’s Festival (24 May to 1 June) enjoyed a busy year with 87% of all tickets sold and over 17,000 children and their families, school pupils and industry professionals flocking to venues across the city, to enjoy world-class theatre, dance and circus.

Kicking off with a packed Family Day at the National Museum of Scotland on Saturday 24 May, attended by a record audience of 7,460 the Festival continued with a full week of Scottish and international shows attended by families and 3,615 pupils from 41 schools across Edinburgh including nursery, primary and secondary schools.

The shows included work from 7 different countries and the premiere of new commission Tongue Twister created and performed by Scottish artist Greg Sinclair and commissioned in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts.

Imaginate Family Day_National Museum of Scotland_24th May 2025

The show which features Greg attempting to say tongue twisters in as many different languages as possible, delighted its audiences with its language antics and gorgeous costumes. “That was the bestest show in the world!” (child)

Tongue Twister is touring to the Light the Blue Festival this weekend in Aberdeen.

The Festival also enjoyed a run of the 2024 ‘must-see’ Fringe show The Show for Young Men performed by Robbie Synge and young performer Alfie exploring topical ideas around masculinity and male friendship, and finished on a high with 6 sell-out performances of Double You, a raucous and high energy circus production from Belgium hosted in Portobello Town Hall.

Young audiences from infancy to S1 at Edinburgh International Children’s Festival.

As well as families and schools, the Festival welcomed over 310 delegates from festivals and arts organisations in 30 different countries including Australia, Hungary, Thailand and Norway also attended the Festival.

The delegate programme provided a platform for programmers, producers and artists to see and discuss high-quality work, share work in progress and network with peers from all over the world. In addition to the delegates who attended in person, 56 more attended the digital delegate programme online.

The much-anticipated new commission the Unlikely Friendship of Feather Boy and Tentacle Girl which unfortunately was cancelled at the last minute due to a performer injury, plans to open in August for this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe as part of the Made in Scotland Showcase.

The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival will return in 2026 from 30 May to 7 June under new direction, following Noel Jordan’s announcement earlier this year that after 10 successful years at the helm, he will be standing down and returning to Australia in November.

Festival Director Noel Jordan, said: ““From uplifting productions celebrating the diversity of our global sector and centred around the perspective and viewpoint of the child, to incredible industry panel discussions and provocations, what a fantastic week this has been.

“As my final Festival I could not have been prouder. With such an incredible and dedicated team behind it I am sure the Festival will continue to go from strength to strength. Thank you to all our audiences, funders, supporters and performers who make this festival such a joyous experience.”

www.imaginate.org.uk/festival

Edinburgh International Book Festival announces expanded The Front List series for 2025

Featuring iconic authors, international voices, and critical political commentators, alongside figures from sports and entertainment

The Front List, in partnership with Underbelly, expanded to 14 events, including two for schools
Line-up gives the first taste of the range of voices and opinions represented in the wider 2025 programme, yet to be announced
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon launches her highly anticipated memoir, Frankly
Literary luminaries Maggie O’Farrell, Ian McEwan, R.F. Kuang, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Asako Yuzuki appear
Political insights on offer from Ta-Nehisi Coates, Anne Applebaum, Edward Wong, and Alexei Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya
Two special Schools Edition events with Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Laura Bates
£5 tickets available across all events for those in receipt of income benefits
Tickets on sale to the public at 10 am on Tuesday 6 May

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is delighted to announce the second year of The Front List, in partnership with Underbelly. Taking place at the beautiful McEwan Hall, next to the Festival’s main venue at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, this year’s The Front List is expanded to 14 events, following the huge popularity of 2024’s inaugural series, including many audience members who were attending a Book Festival event for the very first time.

Together, the events represent the breadth and diversity of the Book Festival’s full line-up of 600+ events, to be announced on Tuesday 10 June, with voices from across the UK, America, Japan, Russia, and Nigeria taking to the stage.

We are thrilled to be launching Frankly, the highly anticipated memoir from Scotland’s first female – and longest-serving – First Minister, as Nicola Sturgeon shares the story of her journey from shy, working-class child to one of our country’s most significant political leaders.

We’re joined by acclaimed and international writers, speaking about their careers and works. The luminous Maggie O’Farrell celebrates 25 years of creativity since her debut publication, and Ian McEwan looks back over his remarkable body of work and forward to what comes next.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie proves to be well worth the wait as she delves into the story and decade-long process behind her new novel Dream Count, Yellowface author R F Kuang unveils Katabasis, her thrilling new title about a rescue mission to the Underworld, and breakthrough writer, and winner of the 2024 Waterstones Book of the Year, Asako Yuzuki, tells us about Butter – the book that took the world by storm, and changed her life completely.

With the Trump administration continuing to unravel the last 70 years of established world order with breathtaking speed, essential political insight comes from The Atlantic columnist and author

Anne Applebaum and New York Times Diplomatic Correspondent Edward Wong, who together take on recent seismic political shifts and explore whether democracy can ever be truly protected. Elsewhere, journalist and activist Ta-Nehisi Coates explores the widening gulf between the myth and reality of modern America, on both a personal and international level.

Poignantly, Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in a Russian prison last year, speaks about her late husband’s courageous work, Patriot, and continuing his crucial activism.

Movie fans won’t want to miss the UK’s favourite film critic, Mark Kermode, who brings us the first edition of his energetic MK3D show (a frequent sell-out of the British Film Institute’s programme) outside London, previewing upcoming releases and revelling in the Golden Age of Cinema alongside very special guests including Succession patriarch, Brian Cox.

No one knows better the pleasure (and, unfortunately, immense pain) of being a dedicated fan of Scotland’s national football team than sporting legend Ally McCoist, who joins us to discuss Dear Scotland: On the Road with the Tartan Army. And Gavin and Stacey co-creator and writer Ruth Jones lets us into the secrets of her writing craft, and her tender new novel, By Your Side.

The line-up is completed by two very special The Front List: Schools Edition events with

Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Steven Lenton, who’ll take pupils in P4-6 on a globetrotting adventure complete with draw-along, and Laura Bates reimagines the story of King Arthur, Excalibur and the Round Table with a magical twist for pupils in S3-6, as part of our 2025 Schools Programme.

As well as buying tickets, bookers can also treat themselves to pre-ordering books for most The Front List events, including the first chance to get their hands on Nicola Sturgeon’s Frankly, and Mark Kermode’s Surround Sound.

To ensure these events remain accessible in times of great economic pressure, under-30s can purchase tickets at just £14 and £5 tickets are available to those in receipt of governmental income benefits.

Jenny Niven, Director and CEO, Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “We are thrilled to be returning to the beautiful McEwan Hall, and expanding our partnership with Underbelly to present 14 The Front List events in 2025.

“At this challenging moment in history and politics, we’ll be offering a comprehensively informed and critical eye on international affairs, and also the chance to escape them through the work of some of the world’s foremost fiction writers, entertainment, and sporting figures.

“There’s plenty more to come in our full programme announcement, but we hope our line-up for The Front List offers a delicious taster of what you can expect from this year’s Book Festival.”

Marina Dixon, Head of Programming, Underbelly, said: “”Underbelly’s partnership with the Book Festival continues to bring some of the most vital, thought-provoking voices of our time to the heart of the city and the festival season and so we’re absolutely delighted to welcome back The Front List.

“At Underbelly, we’re passionate about creating space for bold ideas and unexpected conversations—and The Front List does exactly that. It’s a real joy to be working together again on a programme that feels urgent, alive, and connected to the spirit of the Festival.”

Tickets for The Front List events go on sale to the public at 10 am on Tuesday 6 May, and are available at edbookfest.co.uk.

Full listings for The Front List events:

Tues 12 Aug, 13.30 – Ruth Jones

Wed 13 Aug, 13.30 – Mark Kermode

Thu 14 Aug, 13.30 – Nicola Sturgeon

Fri 15 Aug, 13.30 – Maggie O’Farrell [Sponsored by the National Library of Scotland]

Sat 16 Aug, 13.30 – Ta-Nehisi Coates [Sponsored by the University of Edinburgh]

Sun 17 Aug, 13.30 – Anne Applebaum & Edward Wong [Supported by the Turtleton Charitable Trust]

Mon 18 Aug, 13.30 – Ally McCoist [Sponsored by Digby Brown]

Tues 19 Aug, 13.30 – Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieWed

20 Aug, 13.30 – Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Steven Lenton [Schools Edition]

Thu 21 Aug, 13.30 – Laura Bates [Schools Edition]

Fri 22 Aug, 13.30 – Yulia Navalnya

Sat 23 Aug, 13.30 – Asako Yuzuki

Sun 24 Aug, 13.30 – Ian McEwan

Sun 24 Aug, 19.30 – R F Kuang

All events take place at McEwan Hall, Teviot Pl, Edinburgh EH8 9AG.

Tickets for The Front List at McEwan Hall go on public sale at 10am (BST) on Tuesday 6 May 2025 at https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/

Roadworks in Old Town to last NINE months

The city council is improving the roads, pavements and drainage at Lawnmarket – between Castlehill and George IV Bridge – and Upper Bow. Work is due to start on 23 September 2024 and end in July 2025.

The improvement work includes the reconstruction of the existing natural stone setts on the streets, and will improve walking and road conditions, whilst enhancing road safety.

This will take place in four phases, which will be completed consecutively. Work will take place Monday to Saturday typically between the hours of 7.30am and 5pm.

Phase 1: 23 September – December 2024
Upper Bow – full length. Upper Bow will be closed. The Lawnmarket will continue to operate eastbound only.

Phase 2: December 2024 – February 2025
Lawnmarket – roundabout area. Road closed at the roundabout area with no through route for vehicles. Access may still be available from George IV Bridge. Deliveries to Castlehill will be via Ramsay Lane.

Phase 3: March – April 2025
Road closure of the eastern half with no through route for vehicles. Local access to the western half and Castlehill can be obtained via Johnston Terrace.

Phase 4: May – July 2025
Road closure of the western half with no through route for vehicles. Local access via Johnston Terrace – some access may be available from George IV Bridge.

Pedestrian access to the area will be maintained at all times, restrictions will be placed on vehicle access. Eastbound traffic will be maintained during phase 1, but Lawnmarket will be closed to through traffic from December 2024.

Access will be maintained at all times for emergency services vehicles.

Temporary parking restrictions will be introduced to make sure the work is done safely, with on-street signage providing details of specific restrictions.

Full details on bus access, diversion routes, loading and servicing are available on our website.

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “Maintaining and enhancing our streets is a key priority and I’m proud that we’re taking these steps to make improvements in the Lawnmarket area.

“The Old Town is world famous for its setts and cobblestones and we need to preserve these for the future. I appreciate these works may cause some disruption for our residents, businesses and visitors so I’d like to thank them for their patience.”

Throughout the works the council says it will monitor progress and keep residents and businesses updated.

Council announces Old Town road closures July to September

Festival street access in Old Town

With the summer festivals season fast approaching, we’re making temporary changes to the way some of our streets in the Old Town operate between 15 July and 30 September 2024.

We know that residents, businesses and visitors face challenges in the Old Town during the busy summer festival period.

To make the streets easier and safer to walk around, we are putting in place temporary arrangements between 15 July and 30 September 2024.

You can find more information on roadworks and travel disruptions by following Edintravel on

There will also be short-term restrictions for other events. Information on those restrictions will be published on street and at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/edintravel as and when they are available.

If you have any questions about these closures, please email us. This mailbox will be monitored regularly during working hours and we will respond as quickly as possible.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “Whilst we’re rightly proud to be welcoming performers and visitors from all over the world for our summer festivals, we need to make sure this influx is managed safely and properly.

“We’ve made temporary successful changes to streets in the Old Town during this period for a number of years and I’m sure this summer will be no different.

“I’d like to thank our residents and businesses for their understanding as we get ready to showcase Edinburgh as the world’s cultural capital once again.”

Blue Badge holders

Blue Badge holders can park at all Pay and Display, Shared Use, yellow lines (without loading prohibition) free of charge and without time limit. Blue Badge holders can also get a free residents’ parking permit if they do not already have one.

Home deliveries

If you are planning any shopping or other deliveries to your home, you should organise for them to arrive when the streets are open. Outside these times, and in some closed streets, delivery drivers may need to park some distance away from you. We would be grateful if you could make sure that your delivery drivers/companies are aware of the changes. Goods delivered by bike or on foot will not be affected.

Loading and servicing for businesses

You will need to make sure that your business waste collections are completed before the affected streets close. You may have to place your waste collection in an alternative location.

We have contacted trade waste companies to make them aware of these changes.

The changes also mean that loading and servicing must take place during the period the streets are open, generally overnight between 7pm and 10.30am.

Outside of these times, and in some closed streets, suppliers and delivery drivers may need to park some distance away from your location to make deliveries.

Please make sure that your supplier or delivery drivers are aware of the changes and the potential impacts on their delivery schedules.

Places of worship

If you need closer access for worship or ceremonies during vehicle-free hours, email us in advance to let us know what you need. Our team will work hard to try to help wherever possible.

Special arrangements

We realise there may be a few specific, one-off reasons where you may need to arrange for vehicle access – for example if you are moving into a new property and need access for a removals vehicle. In these instances, please email us in advance.

We recognise that these changes may impact on your daily activities and we are extremely grateful for your patience and support with making Edinburgh a welcoming city.

If you have any questions about these closures, please email us at:

oldtownstreets@edinburgh.gov.uk

This mailbox will be monitored regularly during working hours, and we will respond as quickly as possible.

Edinburgh International Film Festival announce Midnight Madness programming strand preview screening of In A Violent Nature

Special preview of daring new horror film will screen at Edinburgh’s Cameo Cinema on Thursday 11 July in celebration of the launch of this year’s EIFF programme and tickets going on sale

The relaunched Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced a special pre-festival, preview midnight screening of Chris Nash’s audacious and utterly thrilling arthouse slasher, In A Violent Nature, on Thursday 11 July.

The screening follows the EIFF programme which will launch on Wednesday 10 July at 5pm, with tickets going on sale at 12 noon on Thursday 11 July.

In A Violent Nature is a viscerally original and breathlessly entertaining dissection of the slasher genre which mashes together the poise of Gus Van Sant with the carnage of Jason Vorhees in a film that approaches its brutally direct story from the killer’s point of view.

Taking place at this year’s cinema hub, the Cameo Cinema on Home Street, one of the original venues for EIFF and home to some of its most iconic moments, the special preview screening of In A Violent Nature will give audiences a taste of EIFF’s brand new Midnight Madness programming strand that will run throughout the festival in August. Tickets to the screening are now on sale via the Cameo Cinema website.

The film had its world premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and will be released by Altitude in the UK and Ireland on Friday 12 July.

EIFF has recently announced that the opening night film of its 2024 festival will be Nora Fingscheidt’s (System Crasher) adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s best-selling memoir, The Outrun, starring Saoirse Ronan (Ladybird, Brooklyn).

Alongside this, EIFF has announced the name of its short film competition as The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence. Thelma Schoonmaker is celebrated for her iconic work as an editor on landmark moments in cinema history, collaborating on such films as Killers of the Flower Moon and Goodfellas.

This year’s 77th edition of the Festival honours the film festival’s history, showcasing the very best talent in filmmaking in a format rooted in a local Scottish context whilst embracing the international diversity of creative expression.

The Film Festival encourages general audiences, film fans and industry professionals to make the trip this summer to Edinburgh, which is universally recognised as a place of beauty, history, discovery and adventure.

EIFF Director, Paul Ridd said: ‘The team is so thrilled to be launching Midnight Madness this year as part of the fabric of our new EIFF.

“Each night of the Festival we’ll be launching top notch horror films, action films and comedies from all over the world late into the night, and we can’t wait to announce the line up.

“In the meantime, this taster of the experience at the Cameo will be a total trip. In A Violent Nature is one of the most exciting and original new horror films of the year, and a total joy to experience its gory brilliance with an audience. Bring it on.’

From August 15 to August 21 2024, the 77th edition of EIFF will take place at unique venues in Edinburgh, including Summerhall and the historic Cameo cinema, allowing audiences to seamlessly experience the best of the Fringe along with the world-class programme of cinema at EIFF.

Submissions to EIFF have now closed with more information being found at www.edfilmfest.org.

Helmed by Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the team aims to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent. Former Acquisitions Executive Ridd is supported by an expanding Board, including Chair Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting; Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; and Amy Jackson, producer of last year’s BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun. EIFF 2024 is supported by Screen Scotland.

The EIFF programme launches on Wednesday 10 July at 5pm, with tickets on sale at 12noon on Thursday 11 July.

“Festivals Crisis Summit … Now!”

LOTHIAN MSP CALLS FOR CRISIS SUMMIT ON FESTIVAL FUNDING

Foysol Choudhury, list MSP for Lothian and Shadow Culture Minster for Scottish Labour, has today pressed the Scottish Government to heed Scottish Labour’s calls for a crisis summit on festival funding.

Mr Choudhury questioned the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Angus Robertson MSP, in the Scottish Parliament’s Chamber today (15^th May 2024).

MSP Choudhury said: “Although the Scottish Government may claim to support Scotland’s cultural sector, the situation on the ground is very different.

“It is clear that Scotland’s cultural sector is under enormous pressure, with cultural organisations crying out for support and venues and festivals under threat.

“Yet, the Scottish Government still won’t heed Scottish Labour’s calls for a crisis summit on festival funding.

“We need the concrete action of a festivals crisis summit now, not more weak platitudes from the Scottish Government.”

MSP Choudhury also raised concerns about the Scottish Government’s structure and governance and how this is impacting the culture sector.

Mr Choudhury echoed his Labour colleague Neil Bibby’s sentiments, which Mr Bibby raised in the Scottish Parliament today, about the Cabinet Secretary’s conflict of interest.

As Mr Robertson is MSP for Edinburgh Central, and Edinburgh is a major cultural hub, the Labour MSPs argue that the Cabinet Secretary should recuse himself from cultural matters pertaining to Edinburgh.

Something which will be made very difficult, they say, as there is now no specific Culture Minister in John Swinney’s new Scottish Government.

Mr Choudhury said: “Yet again we are seeing the Scottish Government’s contempt for culture as the Culture Minister role has been disposed of-meaning the Cabinet Secretary will have no Minister focused specially on culture to pass Edinburgh based cultural matters to, instead having to rely on the Deputy First Minister to pick up the pieces.

“This is not the first time we have seen the Scottish Government’s poor governance choices impact our cultural sector-whilst Creative Scotland funding is at a standstill level, the Scottish Government have been wasting nearly £2 million on staffing for the “Building New Scotland” Papers.

“Now that the Minister for Independence has been scrapped, which will hopefully stop wasting money which could have been spent to save our cultural sector, I am now also calling on the Scottish Government to scrap the independence papers altogether and reallocate the funds towards culture in Scotland.”

Mr Choudhury says he will continue to pursue the Scottish Government to take concrete action on the crisis hitting the cultural sector in Scotland and to recalibrate their governance priorities, to ensure money spent on party-driven ideologies like independence is instead spent on saving the cultural sector, which he says can benefit the whole of Scotland regardless of party allegiance.