The Edinburgh Deaf Festival, started by Deaf Action in 2022, celebrates deaf culture and inclusivity. Running from August 9-18, 2024, it features over 60 events, including live performances, workshops, and BSL-led tours. Highlights include the world premiere of “The Ghost of Alexander Blackwood” and various youth and family programs. The festival aims to showcase deaf talent, foster understanding, and inspire new generations while promoting mental wellbeing through the arts.
- Hi, can you please tell us more about the origins of Edinburgh Deaf Festival, when it began and how the idea for this came about?
Organised by a dedicated and deaf-led team, Edinburgh Deaf Festival began in 2022 as part of Deaf Action, the world’s oldest deaf-led organisation. As an organisation we have been at the forefront of progress and positive change within the deaf community for almost 188 years. We wanted to create a new accessible festival that celebrates deaf culture and promotes a positive deaf identity, recognising the power of this to enrich the lives of the deaf community; foster positive wellbeing and promote a greater degree of inclusion through shared experiences.
- What does the festival aim to celebrate and how does it fulfil these aims?
The festival creates opportunities to showcase and celebrate deaf talent; raise awareness of the creativity inherent in sign language use; and promote inclusivity and accessibility within the arts.
Edinburgh Deaf Festival is also accessible for all, regardless of your level of hearing so that audience members who aren’t deaf can be transported to a deaf world for an immersive experience. This gives mainstream audiences the opportunity to learn more about deaf culture and gain an increased understanding and appreciation of the many assets which belong to the deaf community and the talents of the people who belong to it.
- Can you tell us a bit more about this year’s events and what they have to offer?
Edinburgh Deaf Festival returns this year in August with an exciting programme of live theatre, cabaret, comedy, film, workshops and more. We also have a programme of youth and family events, designed around helping deaf young people and families learn new skills and meet others. A festival highlight will be the world premiere of The Ghost of Alexander Blackwood, a play produced and performed by deaf creatives that celebrates a truly remarkable character from the city’s past who pioneered deaf accessibility in Edinburgh. Individuals can watch this at the Blackwood Bar on the 16th, 17th and 18th August.
- Making a positive impact is crucial in this environment, how does Edinburgh Deaf Festival ensure a positive impact is created and what specifically is that impact?
The focus of Edinburgh Deaf Festival is centred around inclusion, preservation of deaf culture, which we consider to be at risk, and celebration of the positives of belonging to the deaf community. This is all underpinned by our goal to find and nurture new deaf talent and provide a platform for the sharing of new work. People in the deaf community are statistically between 25% and 50% more likely to suffer from mental health problems than the general population, however accessing arts has been shown to boost mental wellbeing and social inclusion. With deaf-schools and deaf-clubs disappearing around the country, bringing deaf people together to celebrate the rich culture and community has never been more important.
- Through the different events, how do those involved work to inspire the next generation?
We consider it vital to preserve and celebrate deaf culture and inspire the next generation of talent. Our events aim to engage all generations of deaf people with their culture and help promote a positive deaf identity and a sense of belonging to the deaf community. By making the festival accessible for both deaf and hearing audiences, we hope to inspire others to include more deaf-led shows and events at other festivals. The Edinburgh Deaf Festival will also make cultural expression more accessible to a wider audience and give parents of deaf children a deeper understanding of the importance of engaging with the deaf community to support their child.
- When will these events run from, and can you expand on perhaps 1 or 2 of the performances that will be taking place at this year’s events?
Edinburgh Deaf Festival will run over 10 jam-packed days from 9 – 18 August 2024, with over 60 events to choose from. As well as live performances and workshops we also have a variety of BSL led tours, including tours of the National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle, and even a Harry Potter tour through the streets of Edinburgh! To accompany the world-premiere of The Ghost of Alexander Blackwood play, we will also be launching our Alexander Blackwood Heritage Tour, which will explore the hidden deaf-history of Edinburgh and discover the life and work of Blackwood himself.
- Will all the events during the Edinburgh Deaf Festival be interpreted, ensuring maximal accessibility?
All performances will be accessible to deaf and hearing audiences through BSL, BSL/English interpretation, or captions. I aim is to give deaf people access to the arts in a new and exciting way, whilst giving mainstream audiences the opportunity to immerse themselves in our rich culture. Edinburgh Deaf Festival is a festival for everyone.
- Finally, what would you say to encourage individuals to attend this year’s Edinburgh Deaf Festival?
We have an incredible programme at this year’s Edinburgh Deaf Festival, from live comedy, theatre, workshops, youth events, tours and so much more. There really is something for all, regardless of whether you are deaf or hearing. We want to open our doors to everyone and welcome you into our world, where you can experience a vibrant and rich culture, discover incredible talent, maybe even learn some sign language, make new friends and enjoy 10 days of fun festival action!
Click here to find out more about all the events and how you can secure your tickets!
