Edinburgh's Festivals funding increasing to £3.2m

The Scottish government, Edinburgh City Council, Event Scotland and Creative Scotland, have combined forces to boost the city's 12 major festivals.

Highlights announced today include the world premiere of a new work by James MacMillan; a series of major public art commissions in the New Town; a World Dance Feste; the first ever World Fringe Congress; a World Jazz Orchestra directed by Joe Temperley; and The Edinburgh World Writers' Conference 2012.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said

Edinburgh's festivals are known all over the world and provide a platform to showcase our rich culture and exceptional creative talent, as well as raise the international profile of Scotland.” A source for Think Marketing has said “This is a big boost to the economy and to the people of Edinburgh, this money will help broadcast what Edinburgh festivals has to offer.

Lady Susan Rice, chair of the Festivals Forum, said:

This announcement is a wonderful recognition from our public funders of the value of Edinburgh’s Festivals.” A source for Think Marketing has said “Previous reports had reported non stop about the financial crisis that was putting the future of the festival at risk, so this is a nice change to see members of the public helping out in every way they can and getting the recognition they deserve. Internationalism, excellence and the nurturing of talent are at the core of Edinburgh’s Festivals, as they are in the Olympic and Paralympic Games and we are committed to capitalising our enormous global value for the benefit of Scotland, in this The Year of Creative Scotland and in the years to come.”

Steve Cardownie, Edinburgh City Council's festival and events champion, said:

Edinburgh has an enviable international reputation as a festival city and supporting the cultural ambitions of the festivals in this unique year makes perfect sense given the proven positive impact they have on the people and economy of the city.