Hot on the heels of the announcement of the full programme for [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/festivals/members/profile/22/Edinburgh%20International%20Festival/ ]Edinburgh International Festival 2012 (Thursday 9 August to Sunday 2 September), the Festival’s Director Jonathan Mills takes part in a special event this Thursday (22 March) in Belgium. At the event, which has been organised by the European Festivals Association, Jonathan will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Festival. He will talk through this year’s programme, which includes world-leading Belgian artists, and will share his ideas, inspirations and ambitions for the Festival in 2012, when the UK hosts the Olympic Games and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee as well as the Year of Creative Scotland. Jonathan will also brief guests on the first ever Edinburgh International Culture Summit which is set to host culture ministers from all over the world in Edinburgh over the two days following the closing of the Olympic Games in London. The event is hosted by Flagey vzw/asb and takes place at Flagey, Place Sainte Croix, Brussels. Edinburgh International Festival Director Jonathan Mills said: ‘I would like to thank the European Festivals Association, Flagey and the British Council for giving the Edinburgh International Festival the opportunity to launch in Brussels. This celebration at the heart of modern Europe is a timely reminder of the small but significant role that the Edinburgh International Festival has played in the European project ever since 1947. Throughout this period we have enjoyed a long and fruitful association with both the European Festivals Association and the British Council, while engaging a most diverse international audience in the most inspiring work from across the globe. 'Introducing the very first Festival the Lord Provost of Edinburgh at the time, Sir John Falconer said it should be "a platform for the flowering of the human spirit". Consistent with his remarks I believe the Festival should bring together individuals, communities, and nations to share in the arts, to celebrate the very best of humanity and thus enrich all our lives. ‘It is a delight that once again we will be welcoming leading Belgian artists to Edinburgh. And I would like to take this opportunity to invite media, politicians, travel fanatics and culture vultures from Belgium and around the world to join us in Scotland’s stunning capital this August. You will not be disappointed by the amazing work on show.’ Secretary General of the European Festivals Association Kathrin Deventer said: ‘The European Festivals Association (www.efa-aef.eu) is proud to count the Edinburgh International Festival as one of its most longstanding and active members. Festival Director Jonathan Mills engages actively in the activities set up by EFA, such as the Atelier for Young Festival Managers. In 2012, EFA itself is celebrating an anniversary: its Diamond Jubilee under the motto “60 Years On: Festivals and the World”. Together with 110 member festivals from 40 countries and partners from all over the world, we are celebrating the arts and we will raise our voice for the arts, for culture and for festivals in Europe and the world, in particular now that we see the European project at a cross-road.’ For Edinburgh International Festival 2012 almost 3000 artists from 47 nations including Belgium, Germany, Russia, Brazil, Japan, America, Chile, France, Switzerland, Australia, India, Ireland, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Israel, Italy, Norway, Spain, South Africa, Venezuela, and of course Scotland and the UK will gather to share the live experience of theatre, dance, opera and music with audiences from approximately a third of the world’s nations. World-leading Belgian conductor Phillipe Herreweghe leads the Orchestre des Champs-Élysées and Collegium Vocale Gent in a concert at the Usher Hall of music by two of the greatest 19th century composers, Brahms and Bruckner. Philippe Pierlot and his renowned period instrument Ricecar Consort perform two concerts of early music as part of the hugely popular Greyfriars series of concerts. In 2011, Vlaamse Opera’s epic production of Semiramide caught the attention of Festival going critics and audiences alike while Phillipe Herreweghe and the Orchestre de Champs-Élysées return following their acclaimed Festival appearance in 2009. The far reaching programme for Edinburgh International Festival 2012 also sees the first International Culture Summit which will be hosted at the Scottish Parliament. The Edinburgh International Festival in partnership with the Scottish Government, the UK Government and British Council creates a platform and opportunity for Culture Ministers from around the world to join in discussing the power and role of culture in international dialogue on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 August. Thousands of runners are set to be joined by thousands of walkers forming the participatory audience for NVA’s Speed of Light, bringing Edinburgh’s iconic city centre mountain Arthur’s Seat to life over the three and a half weeks of the Festival. The vast Royal Highland Centre’s Lowland Hall will be converted into a theatrical space for the duration of the Festival, housing Grzegorz Jarzyna’s multi-media version of Shakespeare set in the Middle East, 2008: Macbeth, legendary French director Ariane Mnouchkine’s witty production Les Naufragés du Fol Espoir (Aurores) and Christoph Marthaler’s off-the-wall adaptation of My Fair Lady, Meine faire Dame – ein Sprachlabor. Other theatre directors making rare appearances in the UK at the Festival include the great theatre theorist from Japan Tadashi Suzuki, and Russia’s Dmitry Krymov with a new production A Midsummer Night’s Dream (As You Like It) one of three Festival contributions to the UK’s World Shakespeare Festival. Romanian director Silviu Purcărete returns with a new production of Gulliver’s Travels in collaboration with Irish folk and rock musician Shaun Davey, one of seven Festival contributions to the London 2012 Festival. Scotland on the world’s stage is celebrated in three Festival projects a world premiere from James MacMillan, Scottish Opera performing world premieres from composers Craig Armstrong, Huw Watkins and Stuart MacRae, and Matthew Lenton and theatre company Vanishing Point’s spin on Alice in Wonderland. A celebration of the UK’s opera companies continues with the premiere of a new production of Janáček’s The Makropulos Case by Opera North and Welsh National Opera with great Wagnerian Ben Heppner in a concert performance of Tristan und Isolde in the fabulous acoustic of Edinburgh’s Usher Hall. The best of British music and musicians is showcased in the Festival’s Opening Concert with Delius’s epic masterpiece A Mass of Life conducted by Sir Andrew Davis and performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and at the close of Festival 2012 with a rousing performance of Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast. The Usher Hall plays host to the great partnership of Valery Gergiev with the London Symphony Orchestra performing the complete Szymanowski and Brahms symphonies on the first of a series of European dates. Visiting international orchestras include the Cleveland Orchestra, Les Arts Florissants, Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Budapest Festival Orchestra. The European Union Youth Orchestra and the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester contribute to a Festival focus on celebrating the emerging artistic elite. The Festival’s recently appointed Honorary President Maestro Valery Gergiev leads the Mariinsky Ballet and orchestra for Prokofiev’s Cinderella choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky. Dance companies gather from all corners of the globe. Hot Brazilian moves meet Russian passion when Deborah Colker Dance Company turns Eugene Onegin on its head in the European premiere of Tatyana. Acclaimed French choreographer Angelin Preljocaj brings And then, one thousand years of peace and a Stockhausen double bill. Renowned didgeridoo musician William Barton joins Australia’s Leigh Warren+Dancers, the boundary breaking Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company from India is set to stun, and the vitality of Juilliard Dance from New York with works by José Limón, Nacho Duato and Alexander Ekman offers audiences yet another great night out at the Festival. In partnership with British Council Scotland the Festival presents a series of provocative and wide ranging key note lectures and debates Encounters. The Edinburgh International Festival 2012 closes on Sunday 2 September with the ever popular Virgin Money Fireworks Concert launching over 100,000 fireworks intricately choreographed to music played live by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Press contact: Susie Burnet or Mauro Silva on +44 (0)131 473 2020/ +44 (0)7810 383 091 or press@eif.co.uk [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/Press%20Release%20Edinburgh%20International%20Festival%20Brussels%20launch%20event.pdf]Download the press release here" target="_blank">Edinburgh International Festival" target="_blank"> Hot on the heels of the announcement of the full programme for [http://www.efa-aef.eu/en/festivals/members/profile/22/Edinburgh%20International%20Festival/ ]Edinburgh International Festival 2012 (Thursday 9 August to Sunday 2 September), the Festival’s Director Jonathan Mills takes part in a special event this Thursday (22 March) in Belgium. At the event, which has been organised by the European Festivals Association, Jonathan will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Festival. He will talk through this year’s programme, which includes world-leading Belgian artists, and will share his ideas, inspirations and ambitions for the Festival in 2012, when the UK hosts the Olympic Games and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee as well as the Year of Creative Scotland. Jonathan will also brief guests on the first ever Edinburgh International Culture Summit which is set to host culture ministers from all over the world in Edinburgh over the two days following the closing of the Olympic Games in London. The event is hosted by Flagey vzw/asb and takes place at Flagey, Place Sainte Croix, Brussels. Edinburgh International Festival Director Jonathan Mills said: ‘I would like to thank the European Festivals Association, Flagey and the British Council for giving the Edinburgh International Festival the opportunity to launch in Brussels. This celebration at the heart of modern Europe is a timely reminder of the small but significant role that the Edinburgh International Festival has played in the European project ever since 1947. Throughout this period we have enjoyed a long and fruitful association with both the European Festivals Association and the British Council, while engaging a most diverse international audience in the most inspiring work from across the globe. 'Introducing the very first Festival the Lord Provost of Edinburgh at the time, Sir John Falconer said it should be "a platform for the flowering of the human spirit". Consistent with his remarks I believe the Festival should bring together individuals, communities, and nations to share in the arts, to celebrate the very best of humanity and thus enrich all our lives. ‘It is a delight that once again we will be welcoming leading Belgian artists to Edinburgh. And I would like to take this opportunity to invite media, politicians, travel fanatics and culture vultures from Belgium and around the world to join us in Scotland’s stunning capital this August. You will not be disappointed by the amazing work on show.’ Secretary General of the European Festivals Association Kathrin Deventer said: ‘The European Festivals Association (www.efa-aef.eu) is proud to count the Edinburgh International Festival as one of its most longstanding and active members. Festival Director Jonathan Mills engages actively in the activities set up by EFA, such as the Atelier for Young Festival Managers. In 2012, EFA itself is celebrating an anniversary: its Diamond Jubilee under the motto “60 Years On: Festivals and the World”. Together with 110 member festivals from 40 countries and partners from all over the world, we are celebrating the arts and we will raise our voice for the arts, for culture and for festivals in Europe and the world, in particular now that we see the European project at a cross-road.’ For Edinburgh International Festival 2012 almost 3000 artists from 47 nations including Belgium, Germany, Russia, Brazil, Japan, America, Chile, France, Switzerland, Australia, India, Ireland, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Israel, Italy, Norway, Spain, South Africa, Venezuela, and of course Scotland and the UK will gather to share the live experience of theatre, dance, opera and music with audiences from approximately a third of the world’s nations. World-leading Belgian conductor Phillipe Herreweghe leads the Orchestre des Champs-Élysées and Collegium Vocale Gent in a concert at the Usher Hall of music by two of the greatest 19th century composers, Brahms and Bruckner. Philippe Pierlot and his renowned period instrument Ricecar Consort perform two concerts of early music as part of the hugely popular Greyfriars series of concerts. In 2011, Vlaamse Opera’s epic production of Semiramide caught the attention of Festival going critics and audiences alike while Phillipe Herreweghe and the Orchestre de Champs-Élysées return following their acclaimed Festival appearance in 2009. The far reaching programme for Edinburgh International Festival 2012 also sees the first International Culture Summit which will be hosted at the Scottish Parliament. The Edinburgh International Festival in partnership with the Scottish Government, the UK Government and British Council creates a platform and opportunity for Culture Ministers from around the world to join in discussing the power and role of culture in international dialogue on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 August. Thousands of runners are set to be joined by thousands of walkers forming the participatory audience for NVA’s Speed of Light, bringing Edinburgh’s iconic city centre mountain Arthur’s Seat to life over the three and a half weeks of the Festival. The vast Royal Highland Centre’s Lowland Hall will be converted into a theatrical space for the duration of the Festival, housing Grzegorz Jarzyna’s multi-media version of Shakespeare set in the Middle East, 2008: Macbeth, legendary French director Ariane Mnouchkine’s witty production Les Naufragés du Fol Espoir (Aurores) and Christoph Marthaler’s off-the-wall adaptation of My Fair Lady, Meine faire Dame – ein Sprachlabor. Other theatre directors making rare appearances in the UK at the Festival include the great theatre theorist from Japan Tadashi Suzuki, and Russia’s Dmitry Krymov with a new production A Midsummer Night’s Dream (As You Like It) one of three Festival contributions to the UK’s World Shakespeare Festival. Romanian director Silviu Purcărete returns with a new production of Gulliver’s Travels in collaboration with Irish folk and rock musician Shaun Davey, one of seven Festival contributions to the London 2012 Festival. Scotland on the world’s stage is celebrated in three Festival projects a world premiere from James MacMillan, Scottish Opera performing world premieres from composers Craig Armstrong, Huw Watkins and Stuart MacRae, and Matthew Lenton and theatre company Vanishing Point’s spin on Alice in Wonderland. A celebration of the UK’s opera companies continues with the premiere of a new production of Janáček’s The Makropulos Case by Opera North and Welsh National Opera with great Wagnerian Ben Heppner in a concert performance of Tristan und Isolde in the fabulous acoustic of Edinburgh’s Usher Hall. The best of British music and musicians is showcased in the Festival’s Opening Concert with Delius’s epic masterpiece A Mass of Life conducted by Sir Andrew Davis and performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and at the close of Festival 2012 with a rousing performance of Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast. The Usher Hall plays host to the great partnership of Valery Gergiev with the London Symphony Orchestra performing the complete Szymanowski and Brahms symphonies on the first of a series of European dates. Visiting international orchestras include the Cleveland Orchestra, Les Arts Florissants, Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Budapest Festival Orchestra. The European Union Youth Orchestra and the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester contribute to a Festival focus on celebrating the emerging artistic elite. The Festival’s recently appointed Honorary President Maestro Valery Gergiev leads the Mariinsky Ballet and orchestra for Prokofiev’s Cinderella choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky. Dance companies gather from all corners of the globe. Hot Brazilian moves meet Russian passion when Deborah Colker Dance Company turns Eugene Onegin on its head in the European premiere of Tatyana. Acclaimed French choreographer Angelin Preljocaj brings And then, one thousand years of peace and a Stockhausen double bill. Renowned didgeridoo musician William Barton joins Australia’s Leigh Warren+Dancers, the boundary breaking Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company from India is set to stun, and the vitality of Juilliard Dance from New York with works by José Limón, Nacho Duato and Alexander Ekman offers audiences yet another great night out at the Festival. In partnership with British Council Scotland the Festival presents a series of provocative and wide ranging key note lectures and debates Encounters. The Edinburgh International Festival 2012 closes on Sunday 2 September with the ever popular Virgin Money Fireworks Concert launching over 100,000 fireworks intricately choreographed to music played live by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Press contact: Susie Burnet or Mauro Silva on +44 (0)131 473 2020/ +44 (0)7810 383 091 or press@eif.co.uk [http://www.efa-aef.eu/newpublic/upload/efadoc/8/Press%20Release%20Edinburgh%20International%20Festival%20Brussels%20launch%20event.pdf]Download the press release here.