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You are in: Special Report: 1999: 08/99: Edinburgh Festival 99 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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![]() Festivals galore
Widely thought to be just a single festival, the annual Edinburgh extravaganza is in fact several different events. We give you the lowdown on the festival's main features with tips on what to look out for while you are there.
Edinburgh International Festival15 August - 4 September 1999Edinburgh's International Festival was the city's original event from which all the others later sprang.
This year, it comprises 167 performances from 80 different productions, ranging from contemporary Chinese opera and new choreography to a series of concerts featuring the music of the pipes.
Covers: Classical/contemporary dance, opera, theatre, music: orchestral/pipe/solo recitals Features: 167 performances, Highlights
The Fringe Festival8 - 30 August 1999It began accidentally as an off-shoot to the main festival. Now, the wayward and eclectic Fringe is widely considered the season's most compelling event.
Festival director Paul Gudgin says: "As ever the diversity and range of events is remarkable with over 15,000 performances presented by 600 different companies. Edinburgh will once again enjoy an arts extravaganza which is famous for bringing the hottest talent to one of the most beautiful cities." Covers: Comedy, music, theatre, opera, dance, visual and performance art, discussions, children's events. Features: 15,400 performers, 607 companies, 1,346 performances
Highlights: Film Festival15 - 29 August 1999This is the event that launched The Full Monty into the world and has Sean Connery as its patron.
As well as high-profile British movies, the festival sees appearances from many global stars. It puts a strong emphasis on screenings for first-time directors, premieres and talent from around the world. The festival's events director Lizzie Francke says: "The Film Festival shrinks the world in two weeks and in doing so expands our vision of it." Covers: Thrillers, black comedy, documentary, retrospective, world cinema, animation, shorts, new film-makers Features: More than 300 films from 45 countries, including 141 features, 86 UK/4 European/12 world/6 international premieres films from 45 countries Highlights: Edinburgh International Book Festival14 - 30 August 1999Charlotte Square Gardens in the heart of Edinburgh plays host to the 16th Book Festival, considered by many to be the world's leading celebration of literature.
Festival director Faith Liddell says: "The Edinburgh Book Festival is an extraordinary event. For 17 glorious days, writers and readers of every imaginable shape, form and predilection gather to meet, mingle and celebrate the written word with a passion unrivalled anywhere else in the world." Covers: Fiction, biography, poetry, science, crime, comedy, politics, psychology, lifestyles, food & drink, music, religion, travel, film theatre, gardening, architecture, cultural identity, children's literature Features: 400 events including literary discussions, readings, demonstrations and workshops, 350 visiting authors Highlights:
Edinburgh International Television Festival27- 30 August 1999Despite calling itself a festival, this is primarily an event for those in the TV industry.
Past speakers: Media moguls Rupert Murdoch and Ted Turner, BBC director-general Sir John Birt, film-maker Nick Broomfield, Channel 5 boss David Elstein, comedy performer Jennifer Saunders and Lord Puttnam. Highlight: The annual MacTaggart Lecture delivered by a top figure from the world of television - and usually a platform to spark controversial debate. Expect strong words this year from ITV chief executive Richard Eyre. Edinburgh International Jazz and Blues Festival30 July - 8 August 1999Festival time in Edinburgh kicks off with its celebration of jazz and blues. It sees some of the world's leading jazz and blues musicians perform 60 shows in concert halls, cabaret rooms and free open air events.
It opened with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra playing the music of Duke Ellington. But by the end of the festivities, pop star Van Morrison and former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman had also entertained audiences. Elsewhere the hot sounds of Latin salsa filled the air. |
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