The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Festivals fall foul of lockdown amid a string of cancellations
A string of summer festivals in Edinburgh have been cancelled for the first time in more than 70 years following concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
The International Festival, Festival Fringe, Art Festival, International Book Festival and The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will no longer take place as planned in 2020.
Together, the five August festivals comprise more than 5,000 events across Scotland’s capital each summer, featuring more than 25,000 artists, writers and performers from 70 countries and attracting audiences of 4.4 million. Festival organisers said the cancellation is “heartbreaking” but believe it is the only possible decision amid safety concerns.
The head of Edinburgh International Festival said work is starting on planning for 2021.
Organisers of the Edinburgh International Book Festival are looking at holding a programme of online events in the summer and both it and the Edinburgh Art Festival have vowed to return next year.
Shona McCarthy, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society chief executive, said: “It’s heartbreaking that the Fringe and our sister August festivals will not take place as planned this summer.
“However, having taken advice and considered all the options, we collectively believe this is the only appropriate response.
“The safety of participants, audiences, local residents and indeed everyone connected to our festivals will always come first.”
Fergus Linehan, Edinburgh International Festival Director, added: “We are hugely disappointed to announce this cancellation but given the current outlook we believe it is the correct decision.”