Single malt Scotch Whisky, The Macallan, has been announced as a new principal partner of the Edinburgh International Festival, which will run this year between 2nd and 25th of August.
The first fruit of this new alliance will be a large-scale outdoor opening event for the Festival that is likely to attract 10,000+ people with the promise of a ‘transcendent world that explores our past, present and future, inspired by Edinburgh’s iconic landscape’.
As it was announced, the collaboration between The Macallan and the International Festival was described as ‘a creative union between two iconic Scottish brands’, which will draw upon their combined heritage, creativity and global reach.
Festival director Nicola Benedetti said: “This year’s Edinburgh International Festival will be a momentous celebration of the collective experiences that bind us closer together. We share The Macallan’s commitment to artistic innovation and collaboration, and to true mastery.
“This flourishing partnership will enable audiences to experience Festival traditions in new and extraordinary ways; our unmissable opening event will allow us to see ourselves and our history on the grandest of stages, and inspire us to think differently.”
The Macallan’s global creative director Jaume Ferràs commented: “2024 marks The Macallan’s 200th anniversary through a celebration of time. As part of this milestone, we are delighted to be working with the Edinburgh International Festival and draw upon our combined heritage, creativity and artistic power.
“Edinburgh International Festival is renowned as the world’s leading arts festival bringing a rich tapestry of Scottish stories to the global stage. We look forward to combining our creative talents and connecting local and global audiences with the highest quality of Scottish storytelling through this exciting new opening event for Edinburgh International Festival.”
The full Edinburgh International Festival programme will be announced on 7 March, and tickets will go on sale on 21 March.
