The UK’s biggest arts and culture festivals are the latest to fall victim to recent cancellations.
Edinburgh festivals, which include Fringe, Arts, Books, International and Tattoo Fests, will not take place this year. [Featured Image: @edfringe, Instagram]
It was announced today via Twitter that the 2020 editions of Edinburgh Festivals would be abandoned, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We are deeply saddened to announce that this year's August Festivals, @EdArtFest @edfringe @edbookfest @edintfest & @EdinburghTattoo are not happening as planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.https://t.co/UKQiUizt2Z
— Edinburgh Festivals (@edfests) April 1, 2020
Previously, it was thought that the situation may have been more stable by August when the festivals traditionally run. However, due to the lack of certainty on the issue, the organisers have decided to pull the plug.
This will mark the first time in 70 years that the historic Edinburgh festival will not take place. A full statement accompanied the tweet.
“It’s heart-breaking that the Fringe and our sister August festivals will not take place as planned this summer,” said Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society.
“However, having taken advice and considered all the options, we collectively believe this is the only appropriate response.
The safety of participants, audiences, local residents and indeed everyone connected to our festivals will always come first. Our thoughts today are with the doctors, nurses, health and social care professionals on the front line, as well as all those affected by this dreadful pandemic.
Our sympathies too are with the thousands of artists and participants directly affected by today’s decision – we will do everything we can to support you over the coming months.”
The festival has stated it plans to return in August 2021. They urged the public in the meantime to support local art and culture initiatives upon their eventual re-openings.