Like every summer, in July I prepare my shopping list of events I’d like / plan to attend (I’ll keep it to Scotland for the moment, since I am still unsure about my attendance to Worldcon 2016 in Kansas City. More about that in another post). Sometimes life comes in the way, but it’s always good to have something lined up to look forward to, right?
So, these are my plans:
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016 (5-29 August)
This is an obvious entry, considering where I live, but it is one well worth attending in any case – proof is the impressive number of tourists and visitors every year since 1947.
The website proudly declares “the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the largest arts festival on Earth, an inspiring celebration of the best performance and entertainment coming out of every continent of our planet. […] The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is one of seven festivals taking place in Scotland’s capital each August.”
What is especially interesting is that the Fringe is an open-access festival, and anybody with a show to present and a venue willing to host them can ask to be included in the programme. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society itself does not produce any shows, or pays any fees to artists, and “participation relies solely on the initiative of the thousands of performers who choose to put on a show at our festival every year.”
For the programme and booking, see this.
Edinburgh International Book Festival 2016 (13-29 August)
Parallel to the Fringe, but a separate event, is the International Book Festival (I have written about it last year), which is one of my favourites by far.
Every year there’s an over-arching theme for the Festival, and the one of 2016 looks really fascinating. “In a world of global uncertainty and shifting influence, this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival explores the power of the human mind to imagine a better world.
Our 2016 events address interlinking questions on the impact of conflict; Europe’s place in the world and our place in Europe; the implications of the current refugee crisis; the effect of migration on Scots both here at home and around the globe and the role of society in our wellbeing. Over 800 writers, poets, illustrators, politicians, journalists, historians, scientists, philosophers and playwrights from 55 countries come together to energise, inspire and stimulate debate in Charlotte Square Gardens in August.”
Entrance to the Gardens (where all the book stands and other shops are located) is free, and the details of the programme are at www.edbookfest.co.uk.
One session to attend among all to suggest? Jeanette Winterson, on Sat 20 Aug 8:15pm – 9:15pm.
Given that I live RIGHT at the other end of the country – perched right on the south coast – I haven’t yet made my way to the Edinburgh Festival, but it is definitely on my bucket list!
Let me know if you manage, and I’ll suggest you some great venues 🙂
Thank you! I’ll do that:)
I’d love to go but not sure yet whether I can. Fingers crossed..
Let me know – I’ll probably be around at some moment, when not away for Worldcon!
Will do Steph if I get to go … still not sure, as I’ve just been up to Glasgow for a few days. Managed one day in Edinburgh. Bit of a shame if I can’t make the festival this year.
The Book Festival looks really interesting. Wish I could travel (restricted for health reasons). Will you report on it again this year?
Sure, I’ll post about highlights of both festivals at the end of August or early September.