Two years after the Second World War ended, Europe subsisted under a dark cloud of economic and social hardship. While the light of peace brought hope, the ashes of a devastating war still lingered in the hearts of millions.

The war had been fought on the principles of free expression, intellectual liberty, human dignity, and enlightened government.

The hard struggle to victory over tyranny restored many industries and gave birth to many innovations. From the peace, one critical industry that again found its stage and discovered new creative life was the arts. The creative arts blossomed across cities in Scotland, England, and Wales. Many in Europe came to Scotland seeking refuge from their challenges. They found a piece of peace in Scotland through the arts.

One place in particular was Edinburgh – and the world still witnesses the lovely sight and exquisite scent of that blossoming field each year in Auld Reekie. The Edinburgh International Festival was a visionary initiative to celebrate and further enrich European cultural life in these difficult times following the war.

In 1947, like butterflies to nectar, several theatre groups came to Edinburgh with creative energy in their souls, but no tickets in their pockets. The International Festival had already been carefully planned, but they wisely did not shun the groups – in fact they recognized the colours of creativity they brought.

The groups and individuals were bold in their desire to perform their art, and so they laced their boots, polished their lines, shined their instruments, and performed on the fringes of the festival in Edinburgh.

This gave birth to the brand countless people around the globe celebrate: The Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In 1958, The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society was created in response to the trends. It formalised the existence of the collective of performances, provided information to artists, published the Fringe programme and created a central box office.

These are proud moments in the history of artistic expression in Scotland and post-War Europe, and an achievement for freedom of expression everywhere. The Edinburgh Fringe is a precious jewel in the crown that shines Scotland’s creative and inclusive energy around the globe.

We find much in the news about the global and national economic outlook. Policy leaders debate ways to control inflation, generate jobs, and stimulate growth. Often, the arts are placed in a soft category of entertainment without considering the hard economic data that shows the impact the arts have on the global economy.

Consider that in the United States, the arts and cultural economic activity accounted for 4.4% of GDP, or $1.02 trillion. In the UK, the creative industries sector contributed £109 billion to the economy in 2021. That was 5.6% of the UK economy. In Scotland, creative industries contribute more than £5 billion to the Scottish economy every year.

The reality is that many in the creative sectors are shouldering significant debt as a result of the Covid years. Policy leaders should not only ensure that funding goes up to meet this debt burden, but they should seriously consider providing debt relief and forgiveness. By doing so, we will inject a significant spark into national economies, and society will benefit in ways more than just financial.

In these days where people are so divided, the arts unify communities. According to Americans for the Arts, 72% of Americans believe the arts unify our communities regardless of age, race, and ethnicity.

Putting aside the profound economic and social benefits, let me point out something that you and I share in common. We have hopeful days full of smiles and laughter, and other days where gloom lingers about us or hovers over those we love. We are linked together as human beings.

We move through the paths of life witnessing and experiencing the twists and turns, the highs and lows. Fortunately, our journey is replete with roads that lead us to the arts – festivals, museums, galleries, theatres, a book in bed or music that lulls us to sleep. As I ponder this moment we share, I hope you will agree that the arts hearten the weary soul and enlivens the buoyant heart.

Sometimes, we find ourselves with a brush in hand. To hold the brush or to admire the strokes of others is to connect with that which we have in common – that we are imperfectly human – perfectly alive.

What I would give to sit and read your thoughts just as you have read mine – to share a bench with you and discuss how the arts augment our daily lives and teach us what it is to be human.

Ian Houston is an honorary professor at the University of the West of Scotland, and is a voluntary advisor to the Edinburgh Fringe Society.