Published: 27 Mar 2019
Edinburgh International Festival returns for its 73rd year on 2 – 26 August 2019, bringing the best of theatre, music and dance from across the world to Scotland’s capital.
The programme features 93 events, with 293 performances across 17 venues and 2600 artists from 40 nations including Australia, Nigeria, Canada, Belgium, China, Mali, Holland, South Africa, New Zealand, France, Germany, India, Scotland and the rest of the UK.
The Edinburgh International Festival welcomes the world, bringing the best of global culture to the city in a shared celebration of artistic excellence and cultural exchange- Iain Munro, Creative Scotland
Highlights include:
Fergus Linehan, Festival Director, Edinburgh International Festival said: “At the end of the first Edinburgh International Festival in 1947, conductor Bruno Walter wrote that the Festival has succeeded because ‘it was of the utmost importance and most to be desired that all the ties, which had been torn, should be re-united’. The 2019 International Festival launch is framed against a backdrop of division and confusion. With artists and audiences from all over the world gathering to celebrate each other’s music, theatre, dance and art, we hope that the 2019 International Festival will offer a refreshing dose of generosity, inclusiveness and optimism”.
Fiona Hyslop, Culture Secretary said: “One of Scotland’s strengths is our concentration of magnificent cultural festivals, none more so than the Edinburgh International Festival, which brings the finest performers and ensembles from Scotland and across the world to our Capital city.
“This year the city will boast an unparalleled celebration of the performing arts with an unbeatable programme featuring dance, opera, music and theatre. I am particularly pleased that there will be a celebration of the work of Sir James MacMillan, the pre-eminent Scottish composer of his generation. Sir James MacMillan at 60 is backed by £150,000 from the Scottish Government’s EXPO fund.
“The Festival’s impact extends beyond its August programme. Its community engagement, creative learning and professional development programmes run throughout the year, reaching the widest possible audiences and contributing to the cultural and social life of Edinburgh and Scotland, in part supported by the Scottish Government’s contribution to the PLACE programme”.
Iain Munro, Acting Chief Executive, Creative Scotland said: “One of Scotland’s most remarkable cultural events, the Edinburgh International Festival welcomes the world, bringing the best of global culture to the city in a shared celebration of artistic excellence and cultural exchange.
“For Scottish and international talent alike, the Festival provides an essential platform to create and present extraordinary work and inspire audiences.
“This year, we are particularly pleased to be supporting the International Festival through the new PLACE funding initiative, helping to deepen and broaden global connections between artists and audiences.
“From Tynecastle Park to the heart of the city centre and beyond, the International Festival proves once again that Edinburgh is the only place to be in August. Creative Scotland is proud to support an event that is the envy of the world”.
Councillor Donald Wilson, Edinburgh’s Culture and Communities Convener, said: “This summer, the world’s greatest artists and ensembles will once again come together in our capital to celebrate the 72nd year of one of the biggest arts Festivals in the world.
“The Council and the city have championed the Festival since its inception in 1947 and more than 70 years on, the event continues to bring thousands of people together from all over Scotland and the world in celebration of arts and culture.
“From opera to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Sir Ian McKellen to Jarvis Cocker, the 2019 programme will feature 2600 artists in a diverse mix of music, dance and theatre. This year, I am delighted to see the launch of You Are Here funded by the PLACE programme, a Council, Scottish Government and festivals partnership fund supporting creative programming, community engagement and skills development. It is also great to see the Festival return to Leith Theatre following the success of last year’s concerts – it has a great line up.
“With such a mix of community events and Scottish artists, and a truly international programme of opera, dance and theatre this looks like it’s going to be one of the most exciting International Festival programmes yet”.
(Image: Dancer Eve Mutso at the Edinburgh International Festival launch, Photo: Ian Georgeson)