Featured Image: Photo by Peter Cordes on Unsplash
Organisers of this year’s Edinburgh International Festival have made a commitment “to reach the broadest possible audience” as 50% of the tickets will be sold for £30 ($38/€35) or under.
Free tickets are also available for young musicians and £10 tickets will be on offer for every performance at the event which is set to take place from August 2-25.
This year’s programme consists of 161 shows from more than 2,000 artists under the theme “Rituals That Unite Us”.
The theme is said to be in response to an “overwhelming desire for togetherness from artists and audiences” following last year’s question of “Where Do We Go From Here?”.
The festival will mainly be made up of opera, dance, music and theatre with the likes of BAFTA-nominated actor Jack Lowden, the Scottish Opera, and three-time Mercury Prize nominee Bat for Lashes all set to perform.
“It’s particularly encouraging to see initiatives such as making free tickets available for young musicians, and £10 tickets available for all performances,” said the festival’s culture and communities convener Val Walker.
“Given we are in the midst of a challenging cost of living crisis and our festivals have a key role in providing us all with opportunities to enjoy exceptional and entertaining experiences, these will hopefully contribute towards the goal of choice and access for everyone in our city. The International Festival is an integral part of the Capital’s cultural calendar and as a Council we’re proud to support it.”
The festival has stayed true to its ongoing commitment to accessibility as the 2024 programme features 25 accessible performances.
Of these, 10 are audio described, five are BSL interpreted, and nine are captioned.
The concession ticket for deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent people has also been increased from 30% to 50% off all full-price tickets.
“As we join forces with the world’s greatest artists and bring them here to Edinburgh, we do so with a deeper dedication to our audience,” said festival director Nicola Benedetti.
“This year the Edinburgh International Festival inaugurates new and reimagined rituals, honouring tradition and innovation, to bind us closer together. We invite you to seek and gather with us this August – there is always something new to discover.”
Share this