What's happened
The Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe are grappling with severe funding cuts from the Scottish Government, threatening free and discounted tickets. Organizers warn that the future of these cultural events is at risk, with protests highlighting the impact on artists and audiences alike.
Why it matters
What the papers say
Brian Ferguson from The Scotsman highlights the dire situation facing the Edinburgh International Festival, noting that over 35,000 free and discounted tickets are at risk due to funding cuts. He quotes Francesca Hegyi, the festival's chief executive, who states that the cuts will 'decimate' the cultural sector unless reversed. Meanwhile, Shona McCarthy, chief executive of the Fringe Society, emphasizes that the festival's success masks the struggles of emerging artists, warning that complacency could lead to a 'decimated' arts funding landscape. The Independent reports on the challenges faced by international performers like Dima Watermelon, who struggles to attract audiences despite addressing significant issues in his show. This illustrates the broader impact of funding cuts on artist visibility and audience engagement.
How we got here
The Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe have historically relied on public funding. Recent cuts exceeding £10 million to Creative Scotland have raised concerns about the sustainability of these festivals, prompting urgent calls for government support.
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The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world's largest arts festival, which in 2018 spanned 25 days and featured more than 55,000 performances of 3,548 different shows in 317 venues.