Alan Young

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe generates an estimated £500 million for the city, yet Edinburgh City Council contributes only £75,000, with a planned increase of just £3,750 ahead of the festival’s 80th anniversary. Compared with Adelaide’s larger per-ticket investment, this is portrayed as complacent and inadequate. The loss of the Edinburgh TV Festival because of rising costs is cited as a warning that cultural events cannot be assumed to survive without support. Tony Lankester calls for meaningful council investment to protect the Fringe and its benefits to Edinburgh.