Das Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Every August the city of Edinburgh in Scotland transforms into the world’s largest arts festival. For three weeks performers from every corner of the globe arrive to take part in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Unlike other festivals there is no single organiser who decides what can be shown. Instead anyone with a story to tell or a show to perform can rent a venue and put on their act. This open-access policy means that the Fringe is famous for its variety. You can see stand-up comedy, experimental theatre, magic shows, musicals and even performances in languages you’ve never heard before. The streets buzz with energy as artists hand out flyers and try to persuade passers-by to buy tickets for their shows. The Fringe started in 1947 when eight theatre groups turned up uninvited to perform at the Edinburgh International Festival. The official festival had already been planned but these groups wanted to be part of the excitement too. They found small spaces around the city and performed their own plays. Over the years the number of performers grew and the Fringe became an official event. Today it attracts millions of visitors who come to enjoy the creativity and discover new talent. Many famous actors and comedians began their careers at the Fringe and it remains a place where new ideas are celebrated and anyone can have their moment in the spotlight.