Festival of Arts off for first time in nearly 50 years
Perth Festival of the Arts has confirmed it will not go ahead for the first time in nearly 50 years.
Jools Holland and Nicola Benedetti had been set to top the bill at the annual festival of the arts in May.
The coronavirus pandemic has led to the cancellation of every large scale event planned across the country for the coming weeks.
On Monday the Perth Festival of the Arts executive committee made the announcement that the 2020 concert and performance programme for May 21-30 in Perth Theatre, Perth Concert Hall and St John’s Kirk would not take place.
They said in a statement:“It is with sadness, but with the wellbeing of our audiences and artists as our top priority, that we announce that the 49th Perth Festival of the Arts will not be going ahead this May.
“This has been a very difficult decision to make and has been based on the most recent government advice, the uncertainty of our festival venues being open in May, and the need to ensure the wellbeing and safety of all involved in our festival.
“Our wonderful arts festival has run for 48 consecutive years, through both changing economic and cultural times.
“We now find ourselves in unfamiliar territory and like all charities and arts organisations, we will be working hard to move through this difficult period.
“We hope that many of our 2020 artists will be able to appear at the festival in future years and we are particularly grateful for all their support and understanding at this time.”
PFA administrator Helen Mackinnon added:“We are looking forward to when coronavirus is over and we can all look forward to better times.
“We hope to see all our festival audiences again in 2021, which will now feel a particularly special year.”
Horsecross will be in contact with anyone who had bought tickets.