Festivals prepare for Year of Young People

4 January 2018

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2018 is Scotland's Year of Young People and Edinburgh's Festivals are right at the heart of the action, with the Science, Film and Book Festivals all delivering special programme strands to celebrate.

Joining Edinburgh's Hogmanay, whose #Scotword project kicked off Scotland's Year of Young People 2018 (#YOYP2018), the festivals will each offer new and expanded events and activities, created and curated specifically to inspire younger audiences.

Details of the three festivals' involvement came as part of the wider launch of the Year of Young People, which will see a year-long, nation-wide celebration of young people in Scotland, creating opportunities for self-expression through culture, sport and more.

The contributions of the three festivals to #YOYP2018 include:

EXISTENCE: Life and Beyond

Edinburgh International Science Festival - March-April

This family-friendly exhibition is a celebration of the Earth's wonder and diversity of life which has been specially created for #YOYP2018 and include a record-breaking sculpture at its heart.

Asking some seriously big questions like What is life? Where did it come from? And what's next?, EXISTENCE: Life and Beyond will thrill inquisitive minds of all ages at the 2018 Science Festival (31 March - 15 April).

More details will be available when the Science Festival programme is launched in February 2018.

The Young and the Wild

Edinburgh International Film Festival - June-July

In 2018 the Film Festival will significantly expand its lineup for younger audiences, with an entire programming strand dedicated to them.

The Young and the Wild will include great screenings, plus very special events and experiences offering workshops on filmmaking for primary and secondary school pupils, masterclasses from filmmaking experts, careers advice and special networking events.

There will also be an expansion in Film Fest Junior, aimed at familes, with more films plus a chance for some young programmers to curate some of their own favourite festival films, and a competition to win Festival screenings for two young filmmakers.

Year of Young People

Edinburgh International Book Festival - August

Like the Film Festival, Edinburgh International Book Festival will be programming a special strand of events by, for and about young people.

Details are still to be finalised, but the events will include interactive question and answer sessions with authors, interviews, debates, book signings, workshops and more.

The events will take place over the final week of the festival and full details will be released in June 2018.

Speaking at the Year of Young People launch, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

This is an opportunity to shine a light on the fantastic contribution young people make to life in Scotland.

The Year of Young People will give young people a new platform and new opportunities for their voices to be heard in all parts of our society and hopefully help to foster a better understanding, co-operation and respect between generations.

The talents of our young people span the length and breadth of the country – evident in the great programme they have helped to put together. I want to thank all of the partners involved in supporting this initiative, who have helped to put together what I am sure will be a wonderful celebration of young people in 2018.

Scotland's Year of Young People takes place throughout 2018, and we'll keep you up to date with all the latest on how the festivals will be taking part.