Edinburgh Folk Festival
Encyclopedia
The Edinburgh Folk Festival has had a shadowy existence since about 1951. Hamish Henderson
was instrumental in creating the first "People's Festival" in 1951, with funding from the British Council
, The Communist Party
and the Scottish TUC, this was revived in 2002 by the Scottish Socialist Party
MSP Colin Fox
. This saw a performance of Ewan MacColl
's play "Uranium 235" and Gaelic
singing by Flora MacNeil
and others. In 1952 it ran for three weeks. Almost all the major funders withdrew in 1952. In a reduced programme the Ceilidh
became the chief event. In 1953 it was the further reduced, but both Jeannie Robertson
and Jean Ritchie
made memorable appearances. The 1954 People's Festival was the last.
In 1964 there was an Edinburgh Folk Festival, with appearances by The Corries
, The Dubliners
, the Ian Campbell Folk Group
and Robin Hall
and Jimmie MacGregor
. Evidence is fragmentary, but there were probably other years in which it took place.
From 1979 to 1999 there was an annual Edinburgh Folk Festival with all the major Celtic music
bands represented - Planxty
, [The Boys of the Lough]], the Battlefield Band
, and so on. Financial problems caused its collapse in 1999, but in 2003 a new event, called Ceilidh Culture has taken its place, based on the idea of a traditional ceilidh
involving all the traditional arts. The event takes place yearly around Easter.
Hamish Henderson
Hamish Scott Henderson, was a Scottish poet, songwriter, soldier, and intellectual....
was instrumental in creating the first "People's Festival" in 1951, with funding from the British Council
British Council
The British Council is a United Kingdom-based organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales, and in Scotland...
, The Communist Party
Communist party
A political party described as a Communist party includes those that advocate the application of the social principles of communism through a communist form of government...
and the Scottish TUC, this was revived in 2002 by the Scottish Socialist Party
Scottish Socialist Party
The Scottish Socialist Party is a left-wing Scottish political party. Positioning itself significantly to the left of Scotland's centre-left parties, the SSP campaigns on a socialist economic platform and for Scottish independence....
MSP Colin Fox
Colin Fox
Colin Fox is the national spokesperson of the Scottish Socialist Party, and a former member for Lothian in the Scottish Parliament...
. This saw a performance of Ewan MacColl
Ewan MacColl
Ewan MacColl was an English folk singer, songwriter, socialist, actor, poet, playwright, and record producer. He was married to theatre director Joan Littlewood, and later to American folksinger Peggy Seeger. He collaborated with Littlewood in the theatre and with Seeger in folk music...
's play "Uranium 235" and Gaelic
Goidelic languages
The Goidelic languages or Gaelic languages are one of the two branches of the Insular Celtic languages, the other consisting of the Brythonic languages. Goidelic languages historically formed a dialect continuum stretching from the south of Ireland through the Isle of Man to the north of Scotland...
singing by Flora MacNeil
Flora MacNeil
Flora MacNeil, MBE is a Scottish Gaelic singer. Originally discovered by Alan Lomax and Hamish Henderson during the early 1950s, she continues to perform.-Life:...
and others. In 1952 it ran for three weeks. Almost all the major funders withdrew in 1952. In a reduced programme the Ceilidh
Céilidh
In modern usage, a céilidh or ceilidh is a traditional Gaelic social gathering, which usually involves playing Gaelic folk music and dancing. It originated in Ireland, but is now common throughout the Irish and Scottish diasporas...
became the chief event. In 1953 it was the further reduced, but both Jeannie Robertson
Jeannie Robertson
Jeannie Robertson was a Scottish folk singer.-Hamish Henderson and Alan Lomax:It is not known where Jeannie Robertson was born but she did live at 90, Hilton Street in Aberdeen, where a plaque now commemorates her. Like many of the Scottish Travellers from Aberdeen, Glasgow and Ayrshire, she went...
and Jean Ritchie
Jean Ritchie
Jean Ritchie is an American folk singer, songwriter, and Appalachian dulcimer player.- Out of Kentucky :Abigail and Balis Ritchie of Viper, Kentucky had 14 children, and Jean was the youngest...
made memorable appearances. The 1954 People's Festival was the last.
In 1964 there was an Edinburgh Folk Festival, with appearances by The Corries
The Corries
The Corries were a Scottish folk group that emerged from the Scottish folk revival of the early 1960s. Although the group was a trio in the early days, it was as the partnership of Roy Williamson and Ronnie Browne that it is best known.-Early years:...
, The Dubliners
The Dubliners
The Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in 1962.-Formation and history:The Dubliners, initially known as "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group", formed in 1962 and made a name for themselves playing regularly in O'Donoghue's Pub in Dublin...
, the Ian Campbell Folk Group
Ian Campbell Folk Group
The Ian Campbell Folk Group were one of the most popular and respected folk groups of the British folk revival of the 1960s. The group made many appearances on radio, television, and at national and international venues and festivals. They performed a mixture of British traditional folk music and...
and Robin Hall
Robin Hall
Robin Hall was a Scottish folksinger.He was born in Edinburgh but spent his childhood years in Glasgow. After studying at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, he briefly became an actor....
and Jimmie MacGregor
Jimmie MacGregor
Jimmie Macgregor is a Scottish folksinger and broadcaster.He was born in Glasgow and studied at Glasgow School of Art, becoming a potter and teacher....
. Evidence is fragmentary, but there were probably other years in which it took place.
From 1979 to 1999 there was an annual Edinburgh Folk Festival with all the major Celtic music
Celtic music
Celtic music is a term utilised by artists, record companies, music stores and music magazines to describe a broad grouping of musical genres that evolved out of the folk musical traditions of the Celtic people of Western Europe...
bands represented - Planxty
Planxty
Planxty is an Irish folk music band formed in the 1970s, consisting initially of Christy Moore , Dónal Lunny , Andy Irvine , and Liam O'Flynn...
, [The Boys of the Lough]], the Battlefield Band
Battlefield Band
Battlefield Band is a Scottish traditional music group. Founded in Glasgow in 1969, they have released over 30 albums and undergone many changes of lineup. As of 2010, there are no founder members in the band....
, and so on. Financial problems caused its collapse in 1999, but in 2003 a new event, called Ceilidh Culture has taken its place, based on the idea of a traditional ceilidh
Céilidh
In modern usage, a céilidh or ceilidh is a traditional Gaelic social gathering, which usually involves playing Gaelic folk music and dancing. It originated in Ireland, but is now common throughout the Irish and Scottish diasporas...
involving all the traditional arts. The event takes place yearly around Easter.