Edinburgh Celebrates European Culture After Brexit Vote

Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published August 12, 2016 | 03:31 PM

EDINBURGH, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Augst,2016) - Nearly two months after Britain shocked the world by voting to leave the European Union, Edinburgh festival is celebrating the European roots which have enriched its arts Calendar for nearly 70 years. With its medieval streets animated by late-night revellers, billboards and noisy hawkers promoting the latest shows, Edinburgh's festival bears a striking resemblance to one of its most well-known continental peers -- the annual arts festival held in Avignon in southeastern France.

But while dance and theatre dominate the Avignon Festival -- founded in 1947 by French actor Jean Vilar -- its northern cousin hosts artists from across the cultural spectrum, including circus, art-house theatre, musical comedy and cabaret.

In the Scottish capital, the International Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe, which is dominated by stand-up comedy, run alongside one another until August 29. When the International Festival was created, "the idea of a multi-genre arts festival that we are now very familiar with was completely unknown," festival director Fergus Linehan said. "Rather than being the focus of celebrating an area or an art form, it was celebrating internationalism.

And to be honest Europeanism in particular," he said.