Edinburgh International Festival 2024
Opening Event: Where to Begin
A ritual to ignite your festival
An Edinburgh International Festival Production, created by Pinwheel
Pinwheel was immensely proud to create the Opening Event for Edinburgh International Festival 2024 with Principal Partner The Macallan.
To ignite the Festival season, Scotland’s heritage and mythology converged in a hypnotic experience, transforming an iconic Edinburgh location into the epicentre of creative power. Audiences gathered with us to discover and share in a new ritual, hear a new myth, and play their part in summoning up the festival spirit that courses through the city every August.
As the sun set, George Heriot’s grounds came alive with the flicker of flames. Thousands of festival-goers were guided through by the artisans as they fed the fires and raised a dram. Then, witnessed the story of a hidden world, buried deep in the vaults and tunnels beneath our feet.
Blending immersive installation, performance, spectacular video projection, music and captivating storytelling, this was where to begin your August adventure.
Opening Event: Where to Begin was possible thanks to the partnership between Edinburgh International Festival and The Macallan, exceptional Single Malt Scotch Whisky, and draws upon the combined commitment to creativity and excellence that lies within their shared Scottish identity.
Director of Pinwheel, Katy Fuller, said:
“I’m thrilled to create a new Opening Event for Edinburgh International Festival in partnership with The Macallan. Our story pays tribute to this most remarkable of cities and the unstoppable creative energy which pervades it every August. We celebrate the alchemy that happens when exceptional artistry meets expectant audience and the connection, emotion and inspiration that characterises a festival in full force. We look forward to welcoming audiences to join us and play their part in igniting the 2024 International Festival.”
Creative Team
Katy Fuller – Creative Director · Simon Sharkey – Co Director · Yeast Culture – Video Artists
Roma Yagnik - Composer · Davey Anderson – Writer & Dramaturg · AndNow – Fire Artists
Becky Minto – Production Design · Fraser Lappin – Production Design Associate
Phil Supple - Lighting Designer · Brigid McCarthy – Movement Direction
Delivery Team
Holly Goodfellow – Producer
Dan Adams – Head of Operations & Production
Al Pickard – Technical Production Manager
Ellen Fernley – Project Coordinator
