THOUGH not entirely unexpected, performers, locals, venues and businesses were still left reeling by yesterday’s decision.
There will be no international festival, no book festival, no art festival and no tattoo.
There will also be no Fringe, which is by some consideration the world’s largest arts festival and responsible for bringing the vast bulk of visitors to the city.
Last year there were 3841 shows in 323 venues, and, in the space of just three weeks, an incredible 59,600 performances.
Anthony Alderson, director of Pleasance, one of the biggest venues at the festival, said the Fringe had “no alternative” but to cancel.
READ MORE: Edinburgh festivals cancelled amid pandemic
“Our primary concern is for public safety. In light of the current risk to public health, and with so much uncertainty about future risk, we firmly believe there is no alternative but to suspend any plans,” he said.
“We also want to avoid the significant financial liabilities that performers and visiting companies could have by going forward.”
Summerhall, which is based in the capital’s old vet school, was due to celebrate its 10th birthday this year.
Verity Leigh, the venue’s programmer, said celebrations would now be held next year.
“In planning 2020 we’ve already taken some time to look back on the previous nine years and the many amazing theatre-makers who have shown their work at Summerhall.
“We are so proud of that legacy, and we look forward to celebrating some of those artists and makers, along with plenty of new voices, as part of our 10th Fringe in 2021.”
Comedian Jo Caulfield, who lives in the capital, was pragmatic. She tweeted: “As a resident of Edinburgh I’m quite happy that the city won’t be overrun by tens of thousands of visitors not coming to my show.”
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