Each summer people visit Edinburgh from every corner of the globe and enjoy three exhilarating weeks of the very best in international opera, music, drama and dance.
Festival 2012
Echoing our founding aims, Festival 2012 explores the power of the arts to transcend geographical boundaries and differences - uniting people from around the world. Just as the world's elite athletes gather in London for the Olympics, so the world's elite performers gather in Edinburgh. See the stars of today alongside the next generation of world-class artists and immerse yourself in a unique celebration of artistic excellence.
Mouthwatering events already announced as part of Festival 2012 include two innovative adaptations of Shakespeare which are also part of the World Shakespeare Festival. Set in a contemporary middle-eastern conflict, TR Warszawa's acclaimed production 2008: Macbeth directed by Grzegorz Jarzyna is an extraordinarily multi-layered, immersive adaptation of Shakespeare's web of politics, ambition and the supernatural.
Dmitry Krymov's A Midsummer Night's Dream (As You Like It) provides a radical new take on this classic tale, a Dream unlike any you will have seen before. Both of these productions are part of the World Shakespeare Festival, which as part of the London 2012 Festival, is a celebration of Shakespeare as the world's playwright, produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Edinburgh's iconic mountain, Arthur's Seat, will be spectacularly transformed by NVA's Speed of Light, a groundbreaking participatory project involving volunteer runners and bringing people together to celebrate both sport and culture.
Join us on an inspirational journey through mesmerising contemporary dance and classical ballet, groundbreaking new opera, stunning classical music and compelling theatre from Australia, America, Russia, Japan, Europe and the Middle East.
All packed into three weeks in summer 2012.
To request a copy of the programme when it becomes available by mail, visit our website and join our mailing list.
2012 Diary Dates
Wednesday 14 March
Festival 2012 is unveiled. Get full details by post or browse online at eif.co.uk
Priority booking for Festival Friends and Patrons opens online, by post and fax
Saturday 24 March
Booking opens to everyone online, by phone and in person at Hub Tickets
Thursday 9 August
Festival 2012 opens
Sunday 2 September
Virgin Money Fireworks Concert
Festival 2012 comes to a close
