Edinburgh International Festival: energy for living * English with Raymond

Raymond Van Neste in this reflection about the Edinburgh International Festival gives a possible explanation for the incredible populartity of this coming together of arts entertainers from around the world gathered at this event throughout each August, in the Scottish Capital of the UK

WHY SO MANY PEOPLE?

The Edinburgh international Festival currently the greatest annual festival of its kind around the world once again is in full swing at the heart of Edinburgh in Scotland. While reading about this year’s Scottish festival I wondered: why is it that people from around the world flock to venues such as festivals, exhibitions or pilgrimages with a speed that seems like the blink of an eye and in massive numbers?

THE GREATEST ARTS FESTIVAL IN THE WORLD

The Edinburgh Festival is expected to have more than two million visitors going through it’s doors this year, during the month of August. There will be over 2,000 productions and these are inclusive of a whole range taken from theatre, music or comedy. 19,000 performers will be present respectively coming from more than 60 countries. 250 venues in the capital city of Edinburgh are currently being taken up during this time with the glorious and full spectacle of creativity and a gratuitous amercement in the arts where the life style in Edinburgh, for the month of August is taken-up fully in this way.

THE ANSWER

In answer to the question why so many people go to festivals, the answer is basic and is no secret. Human beings are social animals. We are programmed to be that way in the big scheme of things. Festivals are places where people flock to in order to see and focus on an interest but most of all to tap-in-to the energy which is for the taking. From seeing the posters up everywhere in the city namely on the lampposts, walls and bollard’s, windows, and seeing the people, participants, diversity, culture, endless reviews, venues, restaurants, to the opinions, the talk, enthusiasm, the energy and the inspiration are dynamic, all there for the taking. The crowds want it, they want to revel in it and rightly so.

POWERFUL ENERGY FOR LIVING

Having visited recently, I pick-up on the energy from what I read about it and see about it in the reviews. From simply reading about it I can easily get a sense of the feelings in that place. That’s how powerful and how loud this creative dynamic festival is. It’s like a mountain waiting to give up it’s energy, and when it does watch out because right now in Edinburgh the waves and the vibes are present for all.

Also, it’s not simply about being attracted to and tapping in to ‘energy’. it’s more than that. it’s about tapping in-to ‘positive’ energy. Positive energy is something that we can’t live without and we need it to exist as well as for our well being and for creativity in our lives. On an everyday basis it’s something that we take for granted but is very real. Positive energy heals us, re-invigorates us, makes us feel good enabling us to bounce back whenever we are feeling low. Opposed to this is negative energy and the many situations that can affect us so easily with the wrong vibes.

It’s true that positive energy may not necessarily be found in a place that is assumed to be positive such as a festival. But it sure is the case that people flock to a venue simply because people are programmed to be social and to be with other like minded people. It’s here that the energy lies. The energy of invigoration, of passion, of creativity, and of people whether it’s a rock concert, a pilgrimage, a festival the effects are the same. It’s the taking part that’s important. It’s not necessary to be a participant in the Edinburgh festival, an actor for example. No, what’s important is that you are present, living the experience, and being a part of the energy which can only be experienced according to our passions for life and for living.

(Written: 11th August 2009)