Welcome to the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh! Where you can experience more in three weeks than anywhere else in a whole year.
It is drizzling when the first artists arrive in Edinburgh city center at around nine o'clock. At 18 degrees, the temperature is "summery" for the inhabitants of Scotland's second largest city - almost ideal weather for the artists from all over the world.
You have certain expectations when you travel to the "Fringe Festival", as the Fringe is called. I was expecting artists and street musicians. But I didn't expect to see Dracula, covered in blood, handing me a handwritten invitation to his crypt. Neither did I expect Frankenstein, who came to life above the audience's heads thanks to ingenious mechanics. Or an Italian who danced provocatively in a tutu at a burlesque show. The festival is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're going to get.
The Fringe has been around since 1947
This year, well-known and unknown artists from almost 60 countries will be giving their all at more than 51,000 performances. The festival, which has its roots in 1947, offers something for every taste. From classic city tours to comedy and vocal performances, everything is included. There are also unusual shows where you suddenly find yourself on stage or have your mind read.
Anyone who now thinks that everything takes place on the street is not entirely wrong. Many participants arouse the curiosity of passers-by with short performances in order to lure them into the right show. Even though there are more than 350 different free shows, you have to buy a ticket for most of the performances.
"There is nothing like it ..."
"The Edinburgh Fringe is so special because there is nothing like it anywhere else in the world. Our vision is to provide a stage for everyone and a seat for everyone and we strive to make the Fringe a place of inclusion, freedom of expression and joy," said Shone McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Fringe Festival Company, on their website.
It is an unreal backdrop: Historic, beautiful houses, narrow, somewhat dubious-looking alleyways and suddenly, bang ... a performer in a robot costume hands you a flyer. You make your way through the crowds of tourists who want to capture the unusual scenes on their cell phones for those back home. While you are still trying to avoid the man in the kilt (they really don't have anything underneath!), you have to be careful not to suddenly become an actor in an improv play. There really is a lot going on on the streets of Edinburgh. Even if it's a shame that I can't pay more attention to the young bagpiper - I have to get to the next event, which is taking place about four streets away. In this case, time is not money, but a good seat. Because there are no seat reservations here.
Here is a short YouTube video of the young artist on the streets of Edinburgh.
The special thing about the Fringe is that anyone can take part as a performer. There is no committee where you have to present your skills: Everyone is welcome here. The festival has been a registered charity since 1968, which "simply wants to support people to live out their artistic vein".
And that has become a little more difficult since April 1, 2024. The Scottish Parliament has passed a new "anti-hate law". This makes it a criminal offense to incite and spread hate speech regarding age, disability, religion and various sexual orientations. This is likely to be particularly problematic for stand-up performances. After all, parodies are the salt in every comedy soup.
Do comedians now have a problem?
"To be charged with a hate crime, you have to be " very threatening and very hurtful and there has to be legitimate accusation from others," says Ms. Brown, Minister of Public Safety and Victim Protection, in an April 1, 2024 BBC article.
And she seems to be right, after all, the comedians at the shows I attended didn't mince their words. Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the show of the Russian comedian who performed with his Ukrainian partner at around eleven o'clock in the evening. Next year then.
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Sources:
Homepage of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival(www.edfringe.com)
Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024(www.edinburghfestivalcity.com)
Edinburgh Free Festival(www.freefestival.co.uk)
BBC page on the April 2024 Hate Law(www.bbc.com/news/uk.scotland-68703684
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