THE Edinburgh International Festival will this year explore the challenges and changes facing modern Europe, it was announced today.
Organisers of the 2008 festival, which will run from August 8 to 31, said the event will look at borders, both physical and psychological, across Europe.
The festival was founded just after the Second World War and came into being "to restore fait
h and to heal the heartache of shattered lives through music, opera, drama and dance", director Jonathan Mills said.
He went on: "The Edinburgh International Festival was founded in 1947 in the aftermath of a devastating war, as an optimistic expression of what Europe could be.
"The festival owes its origins to an urgent imperative to rebuild a sense of community in a continent which had torn itself apart."
Modern Europe was now a very different place, he said, encompassing 27 countries and with a population of around 500 million.
"Political borders have been redrawn in every direction one cares to look. These borders are not just political or geographic, but, more significantly represent a profound shift of cultural, social and even religious identity and opportunity."
This year's festival, which is the 62nd, features three world premieres, two European premieres, 10 UK premieres and a host of new productions of well-known works.
Culture Minister Linda Fabiana said: "Scotland's diverse and vibrant cultural life is a defining feature of our successful and confident nation.
"It is the energy, commitment and creativity of Edinburgh's festivals which together make Edinburgh the world's pre-eminent festival city, attracting many tourists and showcasing Scottish talent on the international stage."
Details of some of the performances released today include:
* Dance – the world premiere of Matthew Bourne's Dorian Gray with music by Terry Davies;
* Theatre – two productions by Poland's TR Warszawa, Dybbuk and 4.48 Psychosis;
* Opera – the world premiere of a full stage production of Smetana's The Two Widows by Scottish Opera;
* Music – performances from outstanding orchestras, including the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra.
The festival will culminate in Europe's largest annual firework display to live music against the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
The full article contains 363 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
