First of the Edinburgh Festivals opens today
Two years after celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival reopens its doors with a programme of online and outdoor theatre and dance for young people.
Article Source: Imaginate
Last Updated: 25 May 2021 9:43
First of the Edinburgh Festivals opens today, and runs until 6 June
Highlights:
• A hybrid festival of digital and outdoor events with many online shows available to watch any time during the Festival
• Two weekends of free pop-up events in the Royal Botanic Garden and in site-specific venues across Edinburgh
• Two new commissions by exciting Scotland-based artists
• 16 new works commissioned involving over 100 freelancers
• 5,000 school pupils booked to watch shows across the country, including in Shetland
Two years after celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival finally reopens its doors with a programme of online and outdoor theatre and dance for young people. It is the first of the Edinburgh festivals to do so in a sector which has been hit hard over the last year.
With a digital programme including streamed performances and innovative ‘live’ digital interactions, schools and families from all over the UK are able to take part this year (with schools in Shetland booking over 200 tickets), especially as many of the online shows can be watched at any time during the 13 days of the Festival.
The Festival has also introduced a price sliding scale, with family tickets available for as little as £5, in recognition of the financial strain many families have experienced recently. This, alongside its successful schools programme, will help increase access to the Festival even further.
To complement the online offer, Festival goes outdoor with Family Encounters, a series of free pop-up performances and installations taking place in the Royal Botanic Garden and other Edinburgh venues in the first and last weekend of the Festival (29-30 May and 5-6 June). The specially commissioned events will showcase the talent of Scotland-based artists who have created a range of innovative and inspiring site-specific encounters for families. Children can expect encounters with a unicorn, aerials on a giant swing or even a basket-ball inspired hip-hop workshop.
And thanks to its international reputation, the Festival is also once again attracting industry professionals from all over the world – albeit online – who welcome the opportunity to take part in discussions and discover new artistic talents.
Culture Minister Jenny Gilruth said:
“It is wonderful to welcome back the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival which this year is offering young audiences and families both outdoor and online opportunities to enjoy theatre and dance. I am pleased that £108,000 of funding from the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund has contributed to commissioning two new exciting works for the Festival and the outdoor Family Encounters Programme, all comprising work delivered by artists based in Scotland.”
If you’re not sure what to pick, don’t miss:
• The University of Wonder & Imagination (7-11 yrs) various slots over the 2 weekends)
An interactive live magic show on Zoom where children encounter all kinds of problems and puzzles.
• The Super Special Disability Roadshow (for 8-13 yrs) – watch any time
An irreverent and humorous show exploring what it means to be disabled today and in the 80s by Scotland’s only disabled-led theatre company.
• Removed (12 yrs+) – watch anytime
The gripping story of a young man’s experience of the care system in Northern Ireland, told with heart, humour and humanity.
This year’s Edinburgh International Children’s Festival is supported by Creative Scotland, the City of Edinburgh Council, the Scottish Government Festivals Expo Fund and the Platforms for Creative Excellence (PLACE) programme.
Family Encounters is supported by EventScotland, The Foyle Foundation, Cirrus Logic and the Walter Scott Giving Group; Removed is supported by Culture Ireland; The Super Special Disability Roadshow is supported by John Watson’s Trust and the Cruden Foundation; Mixed Up is supported by the Hugh Fraser Foundation and the Educational Institute of Scotland. Additional support for the 2021 Festival has been provided by the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust and the Consulate General of Ireland in Edinburgh.
Tickets and more information available at www.imaginate.org.uk/festival
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
Full Cast Announced for Nikita Kuzmin, Midnight Dancer
International champion and Strictly Come Dancing star Nikita Kuzmin has announced the full cast for Midnight Dancer, coming to Edinburgh Playhouse on 26th March!
READ MORE
Programme Announced for Pomegranates Festival
The Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland is delighted to announce full details of its fourth Pomegranates Festival which will run from 25th to 30th April 2025 at various venues across Edinburgh.
READ MORE
The Seafood Ristorante in St Andrews Celebrates 20 Years with Launch of Icons Menu
The Seafood Ristorante, one of Scotland's most beloved dining destinations, marks its 20th anniversary this month with the launch of an exclusive new 'Icons' menu.
READ MORE
Hop along to Dobbies this Easter
Dobbies Garden Centres is welcoming families and four-legged friends to hop along and get set for spring at its brand-new Easter-themed events, taking place across the UK.
READ MORE
MPB revitalises Edinburgh Stills School with quality used photography gear
MPB is sponsoring Edinburgh’s Stills Centre for Photography by replacing their photographic equipment with high-quality gear to fully equip their Stills School.
READ MORE
Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and ape2o crushing plastic bottle consumption together
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has partnered with anti-plastic water company ape2o to reduce plastic consumption by installing a 'Big Ape' high quality water refill machine at Edinburgh Zoo.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Playhouse inspires the next generation of theatre goers with Project Any Dream
Edinburgh Playhouse Creative Learning initiative ‘Project Any Dream 2024’ is shortlisted in the category of Inspiring Partnerships at forthcoming Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
READ MORE
Edinburgh STYLE is back bigger than ever for 2025
St James Quarter will play host to an enviable line-up of style talks, fashion shows, beauty masterclasses and more from 28th to 30th March!
READ MORE
Flight Club Edinburgh launches NEW Margarita Menu ahead of National Margarita Day
The Edinburgh cocktail bar and Social Darts experience is paying homage to the tequila-based cocktail for an entire month with its new limited-edition menu.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Charity awarded grant to help support its Dementia Care and Community Services
The Eric Liddell Community has received a generous £150,000 grant from The Garfield Weston Foundation to help sustain its vital work in combating loneliness and isolation in Edinburgh.
READ MORE
The Famous Spiegeltent Returns
105 years young! The Famous Spiegeltent celebrates her ‘centenary plus’ this summer by returning to St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.
READ MORE
2 for 1 Whisky Adventures Await at Johnnie Walker Princes Street This February
Last chance to enjoy 2 for 1* on Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s award-winning experiences until 28th February.
READ MORE
Join us on Spaceship Earth as Edinburgh Science Festival blasts off in April
Edinburgh Science Festival welcomes everyone to explore the theme of Spaceship Earth and how we can all live like astronauts for the good of planet Earth.
READ MORE
The Leddie to host its first ever Wellness Retreat
The Leddie, Aberlady’s boutique hotel and restaurant, in partnership with WanderWomen, will host its first-ever wellness retreat, Spring Equinox Awakening, from 15th to 16th March.
READ MORE
Football Fundraiser set to score big for Disability Charity
A HIGHLY anticipated charity football match is set to bring together property professionals and football legends in a bid to raise £20,000 for an inclusive outdoor space.
READ MORE
Jason Connery Invests 1 Million in Lost Shore Surf Resort
Jason Connery, filmmaker and son of the legendary Sean Connery, has invested £1 million in Lost Shore Surf Resort, marking a significant post-launch boost for Europe’s largest surf park.
READ MORE
Thousands of preloved books for children to find new homes through Asda instore donation points in Scotland
The initiative enables customers across the UK to donate pre-loved children's books in-store, for onward gifting to families with fewer books of their own.
READ MORE
Eat Out Edinburgh announces 2025 venue lineup and exclusive supper clubs
Eat Out Edinburgh, the highly anticipated city-centre restaurant festival run by Essential Edinburgh, today reveals the full list of incredible dining offers running throughout March.
READ MORE
M&S Food reopens at Edinburgh Waverley Station after transformation
The M&S Food store at Edinburgh Waverley Station has reopened to passengers following a complete transformation by food travel experts SSP Group.
READ MORE
Cineworld is the best place to enjoy both new Captain America and Bridget Jones movies
Set to be this year’s Barbenheimer, the two hotly anticipated films will be shown across a range of formats at Cineworld, where spectacular offers and merch will make your date night unforgettable.
READ MORE
Miffy x Bubbleology carrot cake bubble tea comes to Edinburgh
Miffy, the classic children’s character created by Dick Bruna, is teaming up with the UK’s leading bubble tea brand, Bubbleology, for an unmissable springtime launch.
READ MORE
Marstons is going marmalade mad in celebration of Paddington in Peru
To celebrate the Home Release of Paddington in Peru, Marston's has created a limited-edition marmalade-inspired children's menu, which will be available in over 250 Marston's pubs nationwide!
READ MORE
Restoration work begins on the John Byrne dome at the Kings Theatre
Capital Theatres embarks upon expert conservation work to protect and restore John Byrne’s iconic dome design as part of the King’s Theatre redevelopment project.
READ MORE
Scots charity calls on young Scottish poets for national campaign
Communities across Scotland are being invited to make a visible show of support for LGBTQ+ young people this Purple Friday.
READ MORE
Three captured Lynx thriving at Edinburgh Zoo
Three lynx illegally released in the Cairngorms are doing well, having completed their 30 day quarantine at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo.
READ MORE
Next generation of professionals are on the UP
DLA Piper returns to 2025 with more rewarding network events for next generation professionals following resounding success last year.
READ MORE
Celebrate in STYLE at St James Quarter this Valentines Day
St Valentine might be the patron saint of love, but St James has got your celebrations covered.
READ MORE
Perth Ski School invites Edinburgh ski enthusiasts to hit the slopes this Spring
Edinburgh families have an exciting new option for children's and adults ski lessons this year, following the opening of Perth Ski School.
READ MORE
From Barra to Buenos Aires: Worldwide Gaelic celebration just around the corner
The Gaelic language is set to be celebrated around the world in less than two weeks' time as Seachdain na Gàidhlig, World Gaelic Week, gets set to return from 24th February - 2nd March.
READ MORE
The Rocky Horror Show tour smashes records
The Rocky Horror Show has once again cemented its status as a cultural phenomenon, with the 2024/2025 tour being the most successful ever staged in the show's 50+ year history!
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links