2011
Talks and Debates at the Festival eif.co.uk
Welcome to your guide to talks and debates at the Edinburgh International Festival 2011.
Here you can find discussions between Festival performers, cultural commentators, international academics and intellectuals which get to the heart of the inspirations for the Festival and the ideas behind some of the performances this year.
Some of the discussions will use Speech-toText reporting or will be British Sign Language interpreted on the day to enable audience members who are hard of hearing to follow the discussion. Look for these symbols throughout.
Book your tickets now online at eif.co.uk or call 0131 473 2000
Continental Shifts
Christopher Brookmyre Photo: Tricia Malley Ross Gillespie
Michael Billington
A series of talks and debates exploring perspectives and ideas affecting our understanding and shifting perceptions of the global landscape. Why China isn’t the New West
Transmission Tuesday 16 August 2.30pm
Saturday 13 August 2.30pm Professor Jonathan Spence explores the relationship between China and the west against the backdrop of China’s continued growth and increasing power on the world stage. Spence, one of the world’s leading authorities on Chinese history, is Sterling Professor of History Emeritus at Yale University. He will be in discussion with Lord David Wilson, a retired British diplomat and Sinologist who was also Governor of Hong Kong from 1987 to 1992.
All the World’s a Stage Monday 15 August 2.30pm Korean theatre director Tae-Suk Oh, theatre critic Michael Billington and Shakespeare scholar Professor Alexander C.Y. Huang discuss the enduring legacy of Shakespeare’s work. This discussion will be chaired by Helen Cooper, a Professor of Medieval and Renaissance English at the University of Cambridge.
Dina Iordanova, Professor of Film Studies at the University of St. Andrews, chairs a discussion with Princess Bari choreographer Eun-Me Ahn, AngloIndian author Anita Nair and writer and biographer Jonathan Clements, who has written extensively on Japan and China, to explore the influences and values that have emerged from within the popular cultures of India, Japan, China and Korea.
Global Philosophies Monday 22 August 2.30pm Scottish author Christopher Brookmyre joins Tu Weiming, Professor of Philosophy at Peking University and writer, philosopher and broadcaster Dr Richard Holloway to talk about changes and shifts in religious faiths and belief systems in the east and west. Chair of the British Council Sir Vernon Ellis leads the discussion.
Continental Shifts
continued
Niall Ferguson Photo: Dewald Aukema
How Chinese Money is Changing the World
Shashi Tharoor
A Changing India Saturday 27 August 5.00pm
Wednesday 24 August 2.30pm In this keynote lecture, eminent author and journalist James Kynge analyses the history of, and recent developments in, the Chinese economy and the impact its growth is having across the world. Editor of China Confidential, a specialist research service at the Financial Times, he has lived in China for over 20 years, with experience as a Reuters reporter and as the FT Bureau Chief in Beijing. Martin Davidson, Chief executive of the British Council, chairs this event.
India Saturday 27 August 2.30pm Dr Shashi Tharoor explores the changing position of India in a modern globalised world. Currently a member of the Indian Parliament, Dr Tharoor is also a prolific author, columnist and journalist. British historian Professor Niall Ferguson introduces the event and chairs the floor discussion.
Chaired by Professor Niall Ferguson, the eminent author and editor of the outstanding Indian weekly publication Telhelka, Tarun J. Tejpal, is joined by award-winning journalist and literary critic Shoma Chaudhury in a discussion about the dramatic shifts taking place within India and its emergence as an influential world power.
Song of the Earth Sunday 28 August 2.30pm To complement Scottish Ballet’s Festival performances of Kenneth MacMiIlan’s Song of the Earth, set to Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde, historian Dr Kirsteen McCue and Chinese poet Yang Lian join Scottish Ballet’s artistic director Ashley Page to discuss the cycle’s influence and impact. Graham Sheffield from the British Council will chair this discussion. Presented in association with the Scottish Poetry Library.
Ea Sola Photo: cie ea sola
Contemporary Chinese Thought
Tim Supple Photo: Sophie Austin
Heirlooms Thursday 1 September 2.30pm
Monday 29 August 2.30pm Professor Wang Hui from Tsinghua University, Beijing explores contemporary Chinese thought as the country attempts to balance a changing position within the global market and reconcile this position with traditional cultural values. Professor Natascha Gentz, Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Edinburgh, will introduce the subject and chair the floor discussion.
Divided Wednesday 31 August 2.30pm Tim Supple, director of One Thousand and One Nights, joins Korean cultural specialist Dr Michael Shinn, Indian and Bollywood expert Dr Rachel Dwyer and Chair Eugene Downes of Culture Ireland to explore the cultural impact of partition on nations.
eif.co.uk/continental The Hub Tickets ÂŁ6
In a discussion chaired by Roanne Dods of Dovecot Studios, textile curator Ben Divall, Asian textiles and tapestry collector Jonathan Hope and Indian writer and artist Shakti Maira explore the unique threads of history and tradition to be found in the Festival exhibition, at Dovecot Studios, of rare south east Asian textiles.
Ritual and Memory Friday 2 September 2.30pm French Vietnamese choreographer Ea Sola joins Indian writer Swati Chopra, German anthropologist Dr Rita Langer and Chair Magnus Linklater, Scottish Editor of The Times, in a wideranging conversation exploring the poignancy of lost and living traditions, rituals and cultural memory in Vietnam, India and south east Asia.
In association with
Wu Hsing-Kuo
Bo Skvous Photo: Copenhagen Artists
Conversations with Artists
Bo Skovhus
Wu Hsing-Kuo
Saturday 13 August 5.00pm
Sunday 14 August 2.30pm
Danish baritone Bo Skovhus has graced the stages of some of the world’s great opera houses and is acknowledged as one of the finest Lieder performers of his generation. He talks with Richard Morrison, chief music critic at The Times, about the various roles he has played and the music of which he is such an acclaimed interpreter.
Wu Hsing-Kuo talks about adapting western classical plays, re-interpreting the Peking Opera artform, and his performance of King Lear with Olga Taxidou, senior lecturer of drama at the University of Edinburgh.
Philip Glass The Works of Jonathan Harvey Sunday 14 August 12 noon Dr Michael Downes from St Andrews University examines Jonathan Harvey’s triptych of works, Body Mandala, Speakings and ...towards a Pure Land, performed together for the first time as part of Festival 2011. He explores the eastern spiritual philosophies that inspired them and the broader context of Harvey’s work.
Monday 15 August 12 noon Philip Glass has received worldwide recognition for his work in opera, film, dance, theatre and instrumental music. He talks with The Times executive editor Alex O’Connell about The Qatsi Trilogy, the result of a 20-year collaboration with filmmaker Godfrey Reggio.
Melvyn Tan Monday 15 August 5.00pm Pianist Melvyn Tan has earned a global reputation as a groundbreaking performer and recording artist. He discusses his inspirations and artistic vision with Richard Morrison, chief music critic at The Times.
The T’ang Quartet
Arditti Quartet
Tuesday 16 August 12 noon
Wednesday 31 August 5.00pm
Ng Yu-Ying, Ang Chek Meng, Lionel Tan and Leslie Tan talk about their work as one of Asia’s foremost classical string quartets with Richard Morrison, chief music critic at The Times.
The Arditti Quartet enjoys universal acclaim for its interpretations of contemporary classical music. Group members Irvine Arditti, Ashot Sarkissjan, Ralf Ehlers, Lucas Fels and music critic for The Times, Hilary Finch, discuss their work.
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle
Shen Wei
Monday 22 August 5.00pm
Saturday 3 September 5.00pm
British radio presenter, author and Times critic Libby Purves anchors a discussion with writer and director Stephen Earnhart about his latest work, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, an interdisciplinary theatrical production based on Haruki Murakami’s best-selling novel.
Chinese-born American choreographer Shen Wei is a distinctive voice in contemporary dance. He talks with Scottish journalist Jackie McGlone about the unique blend of eastern and western cultures and influences at the heart of Re, his exhilarating trilogy.
eif.co.uk/conversations The Hub Tickets £6
In association with
Supported by
Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust
Trading with the West
The Road North
Friday 19 August 2.30pm Filmhouse, Tickets £6
Sunday 28 August 12 noon The Hub, Tickets £6
Z J Cama, Group General Manager HSBC, entrepreneur Ian Ritchie CBE, historian Professor Catherine Schenk, John Callaghan, CEO of Hero supermarkets and Bollywood producer Michael E Ward debate the future of Scottish-Asian trade using archive film clips. Presented by Moving Conversations®.
Scottish poets Alec Finlay and Ken Cockburn discuss with Robyn Marsack their word-map of Scotland, The Road North, inspired by the writings and philosophy of the great 17th century Japanese poet Basho. Presented in association with the Scottish Poetry Library.
Young people and students – half price now! Get 50% off tickets to all performances at this year’s Festival. Applies to under 18s and all students in full time education.
This year the Edinburgh International Festival draws inspiration from the rich and varied cultures of the Far East. You can find the very best music, dance, opera, theatre and visual arts in venues across the city throughout August and into September. For information on the full Festival programme visit eif.co.uk or call 0131 473 2000
Standby – half price From Wednesday 3 August, 50% off all tickets for senior citizens, unemployed people, Young Scot, Equity and MU card holders.
Access discounts Wheelchair users, people with severe mobility difficulties or with visual or hearing impairment can buy seats/spaces in the area of the venue most appropriate to their needs. Your companion’s ticket will be free. Call the dedicated access booking line on 0131 473 2089.
Charity No. SC004694
eif.co.uk