The Scottish capital city of Edinburgh really knows how to throw a party so much so that it hosts almost a dozen festivals every year. The citizens of Edinburgh are very passionate about art and culture and they, along with visitors to the city, really enjoy the various performances, spectacles and events which feature in these festivals. The bulk of Edinburgh’s festivals however, seem to be held in the month of August. These festivals which are usually six in number, are collectively known as the Edinburgh festival and this year they kick off on the last day in July with the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival.
Fringe Poster- Photo Credit:theedinburghblog
The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival
This music festival will be held from the 31st of July to the 9th of August at various bars, cafes and clubs all throughout the city, as this city which is known for its intellectual vibe, celebrates all the various forms of jazz. This festival is known to feature several international names and this year along with local star Jools Holland, this festival will feature names like swing star Carl Majeau from Seattle, The New Orleans funk band that has Stanton Moores and Joe Temperley from the Lincoln Jazz Center. This music festival this year will also feature theater, poetry and film as it celebrates the music of jazz maestros like Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Barker and many others.
Jazz –Photo Credit :reinketelaars
The Edinburgh Art Festival
The Edinburgh Art Festival which over the years has gained much global recognition, will extend over an entire month from the 5th of August to the 5th of September, as it offers more than 130 exhibitions and events which will be held in conjunction with the city’s many art galleries, museums and art spaces. This event will also feature the works of international as well as local Scottish artists.
Art Exhibit- Photo Credit:kapungo
The Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is one of the most highly anticipated events of the entire Edinburgh Festival. This event also features many international performers many of whom belong to various armed regiments. This event consists of an amalgamation of pomp, pageantry, music and entertainment which is held against the backdrop of the magnificent Edinburgh castle. This Tattoo is witnessed by a live audience of over 200,000 people and it is also broadcast on television to a global audience of over 100 million viewers who thoroughly enjoy the antics of the many bands as they perform various different styles of music. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is scheduled to be held from the 7th to the 29th of August this year.
The Indian Army at Edinburgh Tattoo- Photo Credit:dickpenn
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Undoubtedly, the highlight of the Edinburgh Festival is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe which is the largest arts festival in the world. This year, the Edinburgh Fringe will have a record breaking 2098 shows which will feature theater, comedy, dance, music, children’s and street theater and magic and mime performances. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe will enthrall and entertain the locals and visitors to the city from the 7th to the 31st of August.
Street Performer at Festival Fringe – Photo Credit:theedinburghblog
The Edinburgh International Festival
The Edinburgh International Festival, whose origins can be traced back to the years after World War II, will take place almost simultaneously with the Edinburgh Fringe as it will commence on the 14th of August and continue until the 6th of September. This festival, which also features classical music, theater, opera and dance performances, was originally conceived as an event which was meant to cheer up the populace after World War II, which had devastated all of Europe. This festival was first held in 1947 and it will celebrate its 63rd anniversary this year.
Fireworks-Photo Credit: theedinburghblog
The Edinburgh International Book Festival
During the last two weeks of August, from the 15th of August until the 31st of August, Edinburgh will host the Edinburgh International Book Festival which will feature more than 700 world-famous authors and other literary personalities who will take part in more than 800 events. This book festival, which also features debates, seminars and lively discussions, is to be held in tents that will be especially erected for the event in Edinburgh’s New Town square.
The Edinburgh Mela Festival
The word Mela translates as ‘gathering’ in the ancient language of Sanskrit and this gathering at the Edinburgh festival combines the arts with the food and culture of the UK’s many ethnic populations in an effort to showcase the UK’s vibrant multicultural society. The Edinburgh Mela this year is to be held from the 7th to the 9th of August.
So if you are booked to vacation in the UK this summer, you should try and take in one of these exciting Edinburgh festivals as a part of your attractions’ itinerary. Moreover, if are presently sorting out airline tickets and the like, you may want to also check out the attractive rates being offered by several city center Edinburgh hotels like the Scotsman Hotel, the Abbey Hotel and the Apex City Hotel for the entire duration of the Edinburgh Festival
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This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 at 7:04 am and is filed under Culture, Europe, Festival, Food, Fun, Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
July 15th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I was in Edinburgh in August about four years for about two weeks. My friend and I absolutely loved the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. We went and watched something on most nights we were there. My favorites were the comedy (I love a good laugh) and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Make sure you visit Edinburgh!
July 16th, 2009 at 5:11 am
Thanks Ben
July 16th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
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