The original festival. We’re the one that started it all, the igniting spark which established Edinburgh as the world’s Festival City.

Shining far beyond what you see on stage, we aim to be a beacon for the enormous creativity, curiosity and potential held within individuals, communities and our nation. We offer year-round pathways for people of all ages and backgrounds to discover and participate in live performance, and to help shape the future of our Festival.

By nurturing the next generation of artists – from inspiring primary schoolchildren to mentoring rising stars – we want this legacy to be felt for years to come.

By leaving even just 1% of your estate, you could make a huge difference:

• Supporting the highest quality of international theatre, opera, dance and music
• Helping us overcome barriers to cultural discovery through affordable ticketing and accessible performances
• Ensuring children, young people, communities, as well as homegrown and international emerging talent, find a pathway to discover and participate in the Festival

Join The Rudolf Bing Society and shape the International Festival’s future

Founded in 1947, the International Festival was the inspired idea of Rudolf Bing, a cultural pioneer and Jewish refugee of the Nazi regime.

He joined with civic and artistic leaders to create an event that would transcend political boundaries through a global celebration of performing arts in Scotland’s beloved capital city. Over the following 76 years the International Festival has flourished, deepening our commitment to artistic excellence and cultural curiosity.

We invite you to continue the Festival spark by leaving a gift in your will. Those who wish to give in this way are invited to join the The Rudolf Bing Society, which enables the International Festival to recognise their generosity during their lifetime. Society members can choose to have their support recognised and enjoy a close relationship with the Festival with invitations to annual events and drinks receptions.