Imaginate, the organisation which produces the successful Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, have confirmed that they are planning an exciting festival for next year, and that it will go ahead in one form or another from 25 May – 6 June. They will also continue to run their year-round schools programme and creative development for artists.
As usual the Festival will showcase great theatre and dance created especially for children and young people. However, with Covid restrictions likely to be still in place, the Festival’s programme will focus primarily on Scottish and UK productions, with a combination of outdoor and smaller capacity in-venue performances. Families will also be able to enjoy a series of pop-up performances throughout the city over the first and final weekend of the Festival. Extra measures will be put in place to ensure everyone’s safety and there will also be digital events on offer for those who would rather stay at home.
The decision was made to confirm the programme now in order to give the selected artists and companies some assurance about the future. Freelancers have been hit particularly hard by Covid and Imaginate’s support is a welcome boost. The pandemic has also had a huge impact on children and young people who have had no access to live performances during this period.
As part of the Festival programme, Imaginate are commissioning 16 new work which will involve over 100 freelancers based in Scotland and making a commitment to pay them whether their performance is allowed to happen or not. However, digital versions of many of the events are being developed to limit the risk of cancelling them.
