Taking place (almost) every August, the Edinburgh International Festival is a celebration of culture that sees notable artists from the world of music and performing arts invited to showcase their work in the Scottish Capital.
The first event, then called the 'International Festival of Music and Drama' took place in 1947, with Austrian-born impresario Rudolf Bing acting as festival director and head of programming.
It featured orchestral, choral and chamber music, Lieder and song, opera, ballet, drama, film, and Scottish 'piping and dancing' on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.
It has taken place every year since, other than 2020 when it was completely cancelled due to the global pandemic.
The original idea for the Festival was to enrich cultural life following the Second World War, and it was first financed by £10,000 in winning that Lord Rosebery made from his horse Ocean Swell - a sum that was matched by Edinburgh Town Council.
Since then it has grown in strength, and is joined by a number of other festivals during August, including the Edinburgh International Book Festival, the Edinburgh International Film Festival and, most notably, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Here are 18 pictures to take you back to the events held over half a century ago.
Read more




9. Explosive
The Edinburgh International Festival fireworks seen from Calton Hill in August 1966. Photo: Denis Straughan

10. The big show
The Edinburgh International Festival company presents The Thrie Estaites at the Edinburgh International Festival in 1959. Photo: Unknown

11. The boss
Mr Ian Hunter, the Artistic Director of Edinburgh International Festival, pictured in 1953. Photo: Unknown

12. Procession
The traditional procession to St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, to mark the opening of the Edinburgh International Festival in 1962. The procession was led by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Sir John Greig Duncan. Photo: TSPL