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The Festival Fringes
What started in Edinburgh, Scotland as a drama and music festival has become a one-
stop-shop for global tourists seeking entertainment across all art forms as well as a
platform for new talent to showcase.
Jonathan Di Rollo
was there and almost joined a
travelling troupe.
S
tarted
in 1947, in a
provincial capital, as The
Edinburgh International
Festival and Edinburgh
Festival Fringe, these have
evolved into the largest arts Festival in
Europe. A hot spot for everything from
stage shows to cinema and opera to jazz,
the festivals have significantly contrib-
uted to putting Edinburgh on the global
map. Initially held for three weeks in
August - now slightly longer - every year
in Edinburgh, the festivals guarantee
that you find something new, even if it is
not all world-class entertainment.
A plethora of choices
In the early days of the Festival and the
Fringe, their remit was to “provide a
platform for the flowering of the human
spirit”. They were also a platform for
future superstars. Over the years there
has been a proliferation of festivals
including science, politics and book, as
well as venues.
This year critics have published reviews
of the ‘Top 50’ shows to see andmore
than twomillion tickets have been sold.
Whether you are looking for cast iron
reliable entertainment like
The Tattoo
or taking a speculative punt on a new
show, you will be faced with a plethora
In the early days of the Festival
and the Fringe, their remit was
to “provide a platform for the
flowering of the human spirit”.