What’s On

Welcome to the 2008 Edinburgh International Book Festival! This year, the festival is set to run for three weeks from the 9th to the 25th August and promises to be even bigger than last year. Find out how successful writers use their inspiration to compose prize winning novels, how they overcome ‘writer’s block’ and learn how you too, can write for a living! Readers of the world step forward, for one of the best literary events of the year!

Edinburgh is packed with talent inside and outside the venues. If you didn’t book up for a single thing, the street performers will keep you entertained throughout the festival. Never failing to cultivate a lively crowd, these talented entertainers are world class. Hailing from many international locations, these street performers are flawless entertainers and we are so lucky to have them.

Europe’s longest running film festival, the Edinburgh International Film Festival was to set the silver screens alight in the month of June instead of taking its usual slot in August. Would it turn out to be a huge success or a resounding flop? The 2008 Edinburgh International Film Festival removed of the usual August festival commotion, I’m glad to say, went on to be a resounding success. Box office figures were up 5% on 2007 proving the film festival can stand on its own two feet and doesn’t need to rely on large volumes already visiting the city to fill its auditoriums. Good news film fans, the new June EIFF date seems to be jolly well here to stay!

The preparations for the Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival are currently underway. In its sixth year, the EMFF is set to be even bigger with brand new mountain film screenings, lectures by esteemed world class climbers and, as has become tradition, a world class party. The EMFF is set for 17th to 19th October 2008.

This year a record level of shows are (as we speak) rehearsing and preparing to take the stages of Edinburgh by storm. Now that the official Edinburgh Fringe programme is out, what delights shall I pick out in 2008?

Don’t miss ‘Fringe Sunday’ at the Meadows, Edinburgh. Set to take the box offices of the Edinburgh Fringe by storm, it is set for Sunday August 10th 2008. There are no tickets for this event and what is more, it is free of charge! A brilliant annual event - long may it live!

The Young British Artist is currently exhibiting in Edinburgh in her exciting new show “Tracey Emin 20 Years”. Pop over to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art to satisfy your curiosity! The show ends November 9th 2008.