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2022: 75th anniversary year of Edinburgh’s first festivals

  09 Aug '22   |  Posted by: Birlinn

2022 marks the 75th anniversary of Edinburgh becoming the world’s festival home. Formed in 1947 to bring together people, cultures and ideas, the first festival sought to help ‘the flowering of the human spirit’. This sentiment feels as relevant today as it did 75 years ago. We couldn’t be more delighted to see Edinburgh emerge from the pandemic and open it’s doors once again. All six of Edinburgh’s internationally renowned festivals have returned this year, promising a whole month of entertainment for locals and visitors alike. Our authors haven’t shied away from getting back on the stage – get your tickets while you still can!

Edinburgh International Festival, 5 to 28th August

The Edinburgh International Festival brings Edinburgh’s theatre venues to life with the very best music, theatre, opera and dance from around the globe. This world famous showcase of the Arts was launched to the world last weekend at Murrayfield Stadium, where 16,000 people enjoyed music, dance and acrobatics from Scottish and Australian performers. Birlinn author and Edinburgh Makar Hannah Lavery was among the star-studded ensemble of performers and creatives behind the production.

Medea, 10 to 28th August

Former Makar and fellow Birlinn author Liz Lochhead has her gripping retelling of Euripides’s ancient drama, Medea, brought back to life in a new National Theatre of Scotland production. Rich in Lochhead’s poetic, Scots-inflected language, Michael Boyd directs a Scottish company with award-winning actor Adura Onashile in the title role. Onashile brings a visceral intensity to her portrayal of Medea like you’ve never seen it before: book your tickets here.

Burn, 4 to 10th August

A co-production between Edinburgh International Festival, the National Theatre of Scotland, and New York City’s The Joyce Theater, Burn is a new creation from the legendary Scottish actor, author and International Festival favourite Alan Cumming and the Olivier Award-winning choreographer Steven Hoggett. Alan Cumming will join Birlinn’s list in 2023: get an insight into his wonderful talent this August.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 5 to 29th August

After the challenges of the last two years, it feels more important than ever to celebrate the diverse selection of work on display at the Fringe, spanning the genres of theatre, dance, circus, physical theatre, comedy, music, musicals, opera, cabaret, variety, children’s shows, spoken word, exhibitions and events. 

Blood and Gold, 11 to 28th August

Ancient mythology and modern storytelling collide in a contemporary exploration of the legacy of colonialism and slavery by award-winning Scottish/Kenyan storyteller Mara Menzies. A dying mother gives her daughter a box containing three clues to a priceless treasure. This sets in motion a journey filled with humour and tragedy that considers the importance of ritual, identity and belonging. This is a must-see for fans of the Birlinn title of the same name: get your tickets here.

Eavesdropping, 5 to 28th August

Eavesdropping takes audiences on an adventure through familiar and unfamiliar streets in Scotland’s capital, revealing new sides to and stories of the people who (may) live here. This location-based walking audio play by Hannah Lavery (The Drift) and Sarah MacGillivray (Traverse Young Writers alumni), the latest in ThickSkin’s Walk This Play® series, will encourage audiences to look differently at the rich tapestry of people you may walk past every day, whether you notice them or not. Don your headphones and get ready to eavesdrop in this latest solo audio experience.

Edinburgh International Book Festival, 13 to 28th August

More than 600 events featuring over 550 authors, performers, musicians and thinkers from 50 countries will take place at the Edinburgh College of Art but with a new site layout to accommodate more events and bigger audience. We have an amazing line-up of Birlinn authors this year with something for absolutely everyone.

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