Edinburgh festival’s cancellation can help reimagine the event – Angus Robertson

Edinburgh should remain one of the world’s top arts cities but needs to address concerns of many residents, writes Angus Robertson.
Fergus Linehan, director of the Edinburgh International Festival, at The Hub (Picture: Alistair Linford)Fergus Linehan, director of the Edinburgh International Festival, at The Hub (Picture: Alistair Linford)
Fergus Linehan, director of the Edinburgh International Festival, at The Hub (Picture: Alistair Linford)

The cancellation of the 2020 Edinburgh festivals is a huge blow to the organisers, performers, Edinburgh businesses and the economy more generally. If there is a silver lining however, it is the thinking that is clearly going on amongst senior management, about what should be different when the festivals return in 2021.

Fergus Linehan, director of the Edinburgh International Festival, says that it has to move away from “never-ending growth” and reconnect with the people of the city. The ambition to do some “brilliant thinking” and come back in 2021 with the “most exciting year yet” is hugely encouraging.

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The previous Edinburgh consensus about the festivals, tourism and lop-sided economic growth has come under growing strain and a reimagining of the Capital is under way.

Two weeks remain to take part in the Edinburgh Council consultations: Choices for City Plan 2030 and the City Mobility Plan, which is steering the direction of the city in the next decades. As many Evening News readers as possible should share their views.

As a big fan of the Edinburgh festivals I believe that Scotland’s capital must remain one of the premier arts cities in the world. A new balance has to be struck however with many Edinburgh residents feeling they don’t benefit enough from things as they currently stand.

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