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Edinburgh festivals recommendations
The programmes are out and the choices are endless! With the Edinburgh Festivals almost upon us you are yet again faced with the overwhelming choice to satisfy your arts appetite. We asked our heads of department for their recommendations...
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‘I recommend the entire Made in Scotland programme at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. This new initiative, made possible through the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festival Expo, is a wonderful opportunity to experience the diversity of dance and theatre being made in Scotland today. |
I’m also very excited about Michael Clark, a truly radical dance maker who is premiering a new work at the Edinburgh International Festival inspired by the rock icons David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed. I’m hoping for glamour, exhilaration and a glorious theatrical experience.’
Anita Clark, Head of Dance, Scottish Arts Council |
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‘It’s almost impossible to pick the highlights from this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival programme, that wonderful, intricate web of words and ideas that will cast its magic spell once again over Charlotte Square, but there will be riches galore to remember from over 700 events, in particular the events commemorating our Bard in the Year of Homecoming, a series of debates about Charles Darwin, and rare chances to see literary legends Margaret Drabble and Douglas Coupland.’ |
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Dr Gavin Wallace, Head of Literature, Scottish Arts Council |
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‘Of course the highlight for me will be the Edinburgh Art Festival, now in its 6th year. This event brings together the city’s galleries, museums and temporary spaces to promote some of the most beautiful, imaginative and thought provoking work from the past right up to the present day.
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With more than 50 venues involved, the range of exhibitions and events is really impressive. I’d urge people to pick up the guide which provides an excellent visual introduction to what is on offer. And book your place for the ART LATE now! 27th August from 6pm, an evening of visual art performance, music, screenings and walking tours staged by Edinburgh-based, Scottish and international artists.’ |
Amanda Catto, Head of Visual Arts, Scottish Arts Council |
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'Escape the crowds in the city centre and head down to Pilrig Park for the 15th Edinburgh Mela Festival from 7-9 August. The Mela celebrates Scotland's place in the world as a vibrant, culturally diverse nation and focuses on a range of artists drawing on their heritage to create new work.
Look out for Yatra – Journeys Home, a new cross-artform commission which explores themes relating to home and identity.' |
Lisa Kapur, Head of Equalities, Scottish Arts Council |
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"Try to catch the incredible St Kilda Opera at the EIF, an innovative Scottish – Belgian partnership. Also from the Low Countries, the incredible Collegium Vocale from Ghent can be heard on the 18/8. |
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Scottish ensembles taking centre stage feature the Hebrides Ensemble and Scottish Ensemble (Queen’s Hall) and this year’s EIF monster gig, a tour de force for both orchestra and choir is the rare concert performance of the complete Roméo et Juliet by Berlioz with the RSNO and EFC (28 August).
Looking south, the Scottish Showcase at the Cambridge Folk Festival (30 July – 2 August) is our hottest line-up yet featuring Eddi Reader, Blazin’ Fiddles, Lau and Ruaridh MacMillan. With the three top selling albums last year all falling to Scottish artists, we have a great act to follow!"
Ian Smith, Head of Music, Scottish Arts Council | |
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