(Fireworks at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo)
Beijing, China – 18 July 2019 - Home to 11 world-class festivals, with 5 running simultaneously throughout August, Edinburgh is renowned as the world’s leading festival city, attracting an audience of over 4.5 million every year. Only the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games sell more tickets!
From The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, set against the backdrop of the historical Edinburgh Castle, to Yang Liping’s Rite of Spring at the Edinburgh International Festival, this year’s festivals will showcase a range of iconic and spectacular events. Historically these festivals have launched careers and created artistic legends. A prime example of this was in 1997 when the Edinburgh International Book Festival was the setting for JK Rowling’s reading of her debut novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Edinburgh’s festivals offer a buzz like no other and it’s time to come and find out why.
Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival | 12-21 July 2019
During the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, the city hosts over 170 musical performances over 10 days. Visitors are invited to experience some exhilarating music and atmosphere from both international and Scottish musicians. The festival is perfect for long-time jazz fans and for those who are looking to experience the genre for the first time.
https://www.edinburghjazzfestival.com/
Edinburgh International Festival | 2-26 August 2019
The Edinburgh International Festival was the original ‘Edinburgh Festival’, dating back to 1947. Born out of a desire to bring people together, the festival is a celebration of art and culture and with opera, music, theatre and dance from around the world, it truly is one of the finest of its kind. This year welcomes Yang Liping’s, Rite of Spring, an exhilarating visual performance which draws on traditional Chinese symbols of nature. The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and Chinese piano sensation, Yuja Wang, will also be showcasing their talents at this year’s event.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe | 2-26 August 2019
For three weeks in August, Edinburgh opens its doors and streets to exciting creators from across the world with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The festival found its beginnings when eight performers were denied access to perform at the Edinburgh International Festival and so instead, performed on the fringe of the festival. Since then the festival has remained open to all, allowing anyone with a venue and story to tell to take part. Each year the China Focus season at the Fringe puts a spotlight on Chinese performers who bring modern and traditional Chinese culture to an international audience.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo | 2-24 August 2019
A world-famous spectacle, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an unmissable event during August. Taking place beneath the iconic Edinburgh Castle, the show is a unique blend of Scottish and international music and ceremony, this year exploring colour, music and light, inspired by kaleidoscopes. After reporting an 89% increase in Chinese visitors to the event in 2016, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo became the first Scottish tourism business to accept WeChat Pay. The Military Tattoo also has aims to take its spectacular show to China next year.
(The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo)
(Performer, Edinburgh Fringe Festival)
Edinburgh Art Festival | 25 July - 25 August 2019
Edinburgh’s newest addition to its summer festival line up is the Edinburgh Art Festival. Founded in 2004, the festival brings together over 40 galleries, pop-up spaces and museums presenting the best and most captivating pieces of visual art from international as well as UK artists. Highlights this year include former Turner Prize winner Grayson Perry, and an incredible installation in Edinburgh’s ancient Parliament Hall by Nathan Coley.
https://edinburghartfestival.com/
Edinburgh International Book Festival | 10-26 August 2019
Held in the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature, the Edinburgh International Book Festival takes place in the beautiful Charlotte Square Gardens. The largest celebration of its kind in the world welcomes over 900 global participants and over 200,000 visitors to take part in creative workshops, meet the author events and topical discussions. Back in 1997, JK Rowling read from her debut novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, to a small group of children at the Book Festival. Little did she know what the next 20 years would bring...
This summer also saw an exciting line-up of world premieres and new cinema attracting audiences from across the world at The Edinburgh International Film Festival, which took place in June.
https://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/edinburgh-international-film-festival
Issued on behalf of VisitScotland by GHC Asia.
For more information, please contact:
Adrian Wong
Account Manager, GHC Asia
T: (+86) 185 1966 8504
Email: [email protected]
Laura Mitchell
PR Manager China
+44(0)131 472 2321
WeChat ID: Laura_Mitchell
Mary Taylor
Consumer PR
+44(0)131 472 2072
WeChat ID: Mary_Taylor
Notes to editors
About VisitScotland
For tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to www.visitscotland.org
Edinburgh Festivals
PLEASE NOTE
This copy was correct at the time of going to press. VisitScotland cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information and accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. All liability for loss, disappointment, negligence or other damage caused by the reliance on the information contained herewith, or in the event of any company, individual or firm ceasing to trade, is hereby excluded.
© Liana Technologies