From the military to Velasquez: Edinburgh has it all

Text and photos by Lela E. Madjiah

EDINBURGH (JP): Simply everything is welcome at the Edinburgh International Festival: From the military to a scholarly study of Velasquez's work from his time in Seville to biographical exhibitions on Robert Burns and David Livingstone.

The Edinburgh Military Tattoo remains one of the major attractions since it was first performed in 1950 as the Army's contribution to the festival.

Today, with its unique blend of music, pomp, entertainment and theater, set against the amazing backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, it is one of the greatest shows on earth.

At the heart of the Tattoo is the sight of the massed pipes and drums of the Scottish regiments. But the Tattoo is not just a Scottish show, nor is it confined to music. Over the years it has presented international performers, military and civilians, and this year the U.S. Army Band and the South African Police Band were its guest performers.

Children occupy an important place in the hearts and minds of the organizers, with plenty of plays, music and entertainment available for the young.

"Children are important because they represent the future generation of arts lovers," said Laura Mackenzie Stuart, the press officer of the Fringe festival.

Puppet shows are among the children's best-loved shows. This year, both modern and traditional puppet companies competed to win the hearts of their young audiences. Author-director Chris Craig, for example, presented his delightful new play, The Man and the Mountain, using imaginative and cleverly recycled puppets and props. All the shows were free.

But even though some ticket prices were high, people simply came for a bit of everything. The Military Tattoo tickets which cost 11 pounds for a non-VIP seat, for example, sold like hot cakes and people had to queue for hours in the morning. The Martha Graham Dance Company shows at between 5 and 22 pounds were also a box office hit.

It's fun to be in Edinburgh at any time of the year. The city is simply beautiful, its architecture arresting. But August is special.

In his introduction to the 1947 Festival program, Lord Provost John Falconer said "For the three weeks of the Festival, Edinburgh will be wholly given up to Festival affairs -- she will surrender herself to her visitors and hopes that they will find in all the performers a sense of peace and inspiration with which to refresh their souls and reaffirm their belief in things other than material."

What started 50 years ago to promote peace among nations battered by World War II has remained a strong force that brings together people from all over the world to share one thing they have in common: Their love for culture and peace.