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Edinburgh Harp Festival
Dates for 2008: 28 March - 2 AprilTel: +44 (0)131 478 8446
Established in 1981, The Edinburgh International Harp Festival presents a diverse programme of concerts, workshops and exhibitions in the beautiful surroundings of Merchiston Castle School in the south side of Edinburgh. Organised by the Clarsaich Society, this 5 day event focuses and promotes the clarsaich or small harp, a traditional Celtic instrument that was more common and widespread than the bagpipes among the Scots, the Irish and the Welsh.
Not only does this unique festival showcase a multitude of concerts, the event also plays host to a large harp makers' exhibition where visitors can witness the intricate details employed in the craft of harp making. There is also a series of workshops that encompass everything from harp and clarsaich maintenance through to harp music compositions and regional playing techniques. In the evenings, The Harp festival transforms into a more social affair, featuring lively parties and foot-stomping ceilidhs.
In recent years, the Edinburgh International Harp Festival has transformed into the one of the city's most popular music events, drawing in visitors from across Europe and beyond. The Afternoon Tea Concerts were introduced in 2003, taking the harp festival to a new level. 2006 was endorsed with a Guinness World Record for the largest harp ensemble ever; this was achieved by 201 harpers at the "Host of harps" concert.
For those who want to try out something different, The Harp Festival in Edinburgh also features workshops in traditional Scottish, Irish and Breton dance, singing lessons and yoga to flex those limbs and muscles as well as an on-site masseuse to eliminate the aches and pains of carrying harps. The Festival has also produced their own CD with a collection of harp instrumentals and vocal accompaniments which can be purchased online at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival website to give you a flavour of the range of performances that have been staged over its quarter-of-a-century history.
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