THE new executive director of the Edinburgh International Festival has been named as Francesa Hegyi.
Ms Hegyi was recently the executive director of the Hull 2017 UK City of Culture project.
She was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list 2018 for this work.
Her career began at the Science Museum in London before working as a policy adviser for the Scottish Museums Council in Edinburgh.
She moved on to become Head of Regions and International at the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, until 2005, when she joined the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games as Senior Adviser.
Ms Hegyi said: “I feel privileged and excited to have been appointed as Executive Director at the Edinburgh International Festival, joining Fergus and such a brilliant team.
"I first experienced the International Festival as a student in Edinburgh nearly 30 years ago and have watched and admired its growth since then.
"As well as being the cultural highlight of the year, it plays a vital role in the life of the city, for residents as well as the many visitors it attracts.
"I can’t wait to help shape the next chapter of its future.
"Joanna Baker [previous executive director] has set an incredibly high bar during her tenure and I feel lucky to be joining a company in such good health.”
Fergus Linehan, the director of the EIF, said “We are delighted to welcome Fran to the International Festival in this important leadership role. Fran has a strong connection with our city and has a reputation for delivering work of an international standard that creates lasting value in the communities in which it is performed.”
Niall Lothian, chair of the EIF said “She emerged from an outstanding field of candidates and we are confident she will make a significant contribution to the Festival in the lead up to our 75th anniversary in 2022 and beyond.
"I would also like to express the board's enormous gratitude to Joanna Baker who has performed this role with distinction for the past twelve years."
www.eif.co.uk
A CONCERT in Edinburgh is to raise money for the Save Leith Walk campaign.
The gig on November 10 at Summerhall will raise money for the campaign, which is fighting controversial demolitions and property development on Leith Walk and surrounding areas.
Bang the Drum, the name of the night, will feature music from Meursault, Future Get Down, Rituals and Maranta.
The group is currently focused on opposing the development of a contentious student flat complex at Stead's Place, which would involve the demolition of Leith Depot, one of Edinburgh's most popular music venues.
There have been 3000 formal objections and a 12,000-strong petition against the plan.
www.saveleithwalk.org
THE BIG Burns Supper has unveiled its line-up for the celebration between January 24 and February 3 next year.
The event in Dumfries will stage 111 events across the 11 days, including music, comedy, theatre and cabaret.
The acts will include KT Tunstall, Peatbog Faeries and Colonel Mustard and the Dijon Five as well as Frank Turner, Ed Byrne, Craig Charles, Hardeep Singh Kohli, Hebrides Ensemble, Bootleg Beetles and Brainiac Live!
Tickets are now on sale.
The Big Burns Festival Fringe will take place every Friday and Saturday of the festival.
Performances are housed in the pop-up festival venue, The Container Theatre which was created by festival organisers last year
Executive Producer, Graham Main said: "There isn’t a Spiegeltent programme in the world that beats our artistically diverse and intimate programme, offering local audiences and visitors a warmly authentic winter festival experience.
“2019 marks the eighth year of the Big Burns Supper and we are hugely grateful to our loyal local audiences who support every aspect of the festival, from buying tickets to performing themselves.
"This local support, coupled with the thousands of visitors and new audiences our festival attracts gives Big Burns Supper it’s heart."
www.bigburnssupper.com
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