Edinburgh Festival faces hard choices as funding decision stays unclear
Edinburgh International Festival director announces program cuts for next year due to funding uncertainty. The famous opening event and many Usher Hall concerts wont happen in 2025 season
In a tough-to-swallow update‚ Nicola Benedetti laid out some hard-to-make choices for Edinburgh International Festivalʼs next season. The well-known music-maker (who leads the fest) pointed out that they cant keep the big opening show going anymore
The cash-flow situation has forced organizers to slim-down the 2025 program: fewer shows at Usher Hall - a place thats been part of the fest since way back in the mid-20th century. “Its heartbreaking for us to be presenting a reduced festival“ Benedetti said; while hoping for better news from the government next month
The 2024 program still looks good though with its theme “The Truth We Seek“. Some cool stuff is coming up:
- Mary Queen of Scots by Scottish Ballet
- A new take on Orpheus and Eurydice with acrobats
- Carnegie Hall youth orchestraʼs first Europe trip
The money-situation isnt new - the fest has dealt with about 40% less cash (when you count inflation) over the last ten years. Francesca Hegyi‚ the festivals boss had to “plan for the worst“ while waiting for Creative Scotland to make up its mind about future funding
The Scottish government says its still planning to put more money into culture (about £100 million extra each year by late 2028). But for now the fest has to wait till January to know whats what - pretty late when you think about planning such a big event
