Published: 20 Mar 2024
Image by Julie Howden.
The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival launched its programme, with an exciting line up of performances. The Festival which runs from 25 May to 2 June, will offer a jam-packed programme of circus, dance, storytelling and theatre for young people, their schools and families.
As the place for the celebration of quality theatre and dance for young audiences, the Festival will once again push boundaries, exploring the highs and lows of the human condition, while always considering the perspective and viewpoint of the child.
Festival Director, Noel Jordan said: “I am delighted to be unveiling this year’s programme which once again pushes the boundaries of what’s expected of children’s theatre and dance. Themes of curiosity, connectedness and care for the environment abound, with characters learning to communicate across languages, cultures and borders to establish friendship and play. We also investigate what to do with our nightmares, our losses and witness the impact of racial discrimination. From babies to teenagers, there is something for everyone this year and I hope the Festival is full of special moments for children and their families.”
Dana MacLeod, Executive Director of Arts, Communities and Inclusion at Creative Scotland commented: “Edinburgh International Children’s Festival presents an enriching opportunity for children and young people to be immersed in world class performance. It’s a testament to the skill of the artists and producers that such bold and complex themes are explored in ways that are accessible and educational for young audiences. The festival also runs a highly-regarded industry programme which brings international programmers, producers and artists to Edinburgh to connect and collaborate.”
Culture Minister Kaukab Stewart said:“The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival is an annual highlight with an array of entertaining shows and performances that bring joy to young and old alike. In line with our belief that the arts are for everyone, and in recognition of the festival’s ongoing success, the Scottish Government is proud to continue our support for this year’s fantastic programme with funding through our Expo fund, which aims to raise the international profile of Scotland’s festivals and help enhance their programmes through innovation collaborations.”
Festival tickets are now on sale.
For full programme and booking information, visit: www.imaginate.org.uk/festival.
Tickets can be booked online or by calling 0131 226 0019.
Partners and Funders Info
Imaginate is the national organisation in Scotland, which promotes, develops and celebrates theatre and dance for children and young people. As well as supporting artists making high quality work for children with a year-round creative development programme, the organisation runs creative learning projects, artist residencies and a national tour of performances in schools.
Imaginate produces the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival which showcases the best of children’s theatre and dance from around the world and is recognized as one of the best places for international programmers to see work of the very highest standard.
For more information about Imaginate please visit: www.imaginate.org.uk @ImaginateUK #EdChildrensFest
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot.
The Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund is supported by The Scottish Government through Creative Scotland. The Festivals Expo Fund was established in 2007 to help maintain the global competitive edge of Edinburgh’s Festivals and £19m was invested across the Edinburgh Festivals up until 2018. In that year the Festivals Expo Fund was extended to include Celtic Connections and Glasgow International. The Festivals Expo Fund is aimed at supporting: work by Scottish-based artists and arts companies; collaborative work between Scottish and international artists; and touring within or out with Scotland of works presented as part of the Festivals.
The PLaCE [Platforms for Creative Excellence] programme is funded by The Scottish Government - through Creative Scotland - the City of Edinburgh Council, and the Edinburgh Festivals. The PLaCE programme will provide £15 million over the next five years for a range of creative and community projects. The introduction of the five-year commitment of the PLaCE Programme creates a strategic approach to evolving the future direction of the festivals through long-term developments and collaborations with global as well as Scottish partners thus renewing the Festivals' ambition and purpose after the defining moment of their 70th anniversary.
Marion Bourbouze, on marion@imaginate.org.uk | 07919381893