EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
Booking in advance for the 2024 Festival opens by membership level:
·Gold Ambassador -Thursday 14 March
·Silver Ambassador &Ambassador -Friday 15 March
·Gold Friend &Silver Friend -Monday 18 March
·Friend-Tuesday 19 March
Booking opens for the general public on Thursday 21 March.
Become a member today to access booking in advance.
How to Book
Online Booking
If you have booked with us before, you should be able to log in with the same email address and password that you previously used. If you've forgotten your password, you can request a new password by clicking the ‘Forgotten your password?' link on the account page.
Telephone Booking
From 1st to 25th August our phonelines are open Monday -Sunday, 10: 00am- 8: 00pm.
Outside of these dates, our phonelines are open Monday -Friday 12: 00-4: 00 pm, and closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Gift Vouchers (券)
Gift vouchers can be used to book International Festival tickets. You can buy gift vouchers for any amount you wish and check your balance online at any time. Gift vouchers can't be used 24 months after you buy them.
Theatre Tokens
If you would like to redeem (兑换) Theatre Tokens when booking tickets, please phone the Box Office on
131473200. Theatre Tokens cannot be redeemed online.
Access information
Signing up for the Access Pass allows you to book online for wheelchair spaces, essential companion tickets, seats with the best view, touch tours and relaxed performances. You also can request to receive the Access Guide, which is produced alongside our brochure with detailed information about venue access and our accessible
performances programme.
Please visit our Access Page for further information.
Harishchandra has spent decades of his life caring for the poor community. His son Prashant Sude, who has now taken over the operations of NGO, is following in his father's footsteps, working to help people with disabilities.
"What we did at first was train them in recycling (回收) old clothes into mats (垫子) . The throwing away of old clothes is a significant issue, causing environmental harm. At our hand-me-down centre, we recycle these clothes into mats, providing a long-lasting solution to this problem. In doing so, they not only earn a living but also contribute to addressing the environmental challenges related to non-biodegradable waste," he says.
However, with changing times, Prashant realized that this training might not be a very smart job with good pay after a few years.
"In 2010, we started giving massage (按摩) training to blind people. Massage is an excellent job opportunity for sight challenged individuals because they have sharp sensory abilities. The training methods are simple yet effective, allowing both less- educated and well-educated individuals to learn massage scientifically. Through our course, students learn various massage techniques practically. As a result, they become experts in the field. Once they are trained, they can return to their native village or stay at the centre and earn at least Rs 500 per massage."
In 2021, the NGO came up with another branch of training. "We teach them various digital skills such as graphic design, video editing, and social media management. These skills are particularly suitable for those with locomotor disabilities. They use the labs at the NGO to practise their skill, do their work without having to move a lot and focus their energy more on creative thinking," he adds.
While Prashant and Harishchandra along with many volunteers have helped hundreds of people, Prashant now wishes to expand the model throughout Maharashtra. "The blind in our country are treated as second-class citizens. With Swadhaar, we are aiming to reduce this gap by presenting them with the right opportunities. We want to
help them become independent, and live the life they should have," says Prashant.
These days, the skies don't seem so inviting: Airfares are climbing. Passengers are fighting. Computer systems, and entire airlines, are melting down. Any of those might be reason enough for some to stay off a plane. But for a small, yet growing, number of travelers, the problem with air travel goes way further. They are giving up
flying because of its effect on the climate.
"I choose to stay grounded because it aligns (一致) with what is true," said Dan Castrigano, 36, a former teacher who in 2020 signed a promise not to travel by air. "The climate is breaking down."
One Boeing 747 carrying 416 passengers from Heathrow Airport in London to Edinburgh produces the same carbon dioxide as 336 cars traveling the same distance, according to BBC Science Focus, a peer-reviewed magazine. That huge carbon footprint is leading many activists and scientists to issue cries to fly less, or not at all.
There is perhaps no country with more anti-flight activists than Sweden, where by 2020, 15, 000 people had signed a nationwide promise to travel without flying for at least one year. The nonprofit behind that movement, We Stay on the Ground, is now raising funds and hopes to get 100, 000 signatories in the next few years.
Swedes have coined a word, flygskam, to describe the shame associated with flying. We Stay on the Ground inspired the Flight Free movements in Britain and Australia, as well as Flight Free USA. There are other grass-roots movements, too: Stay Grounded, a global network of over 150 organizations promoting other means to travel, was founded in 2016 and has its headquarters in Austria; Byway, a British travel planning company founded during the Covid-19 lockdown, allows customers to plan flight-free routes across Europe.
Airlines are taking efforts to make flying greener, with promises to achieve "net zero" carbon emissions (排放) in the next three decades. Activists say that progress isn't coming fast enough and are pushing for frequent fliers to at least consider small changes, which they say could add up to big differences.
Life is busy. We're always expected to be productive and engaged, whether that's with parenting, housework, or work. While taking time for small rewards can feel like a luxury (奢侈) , the truth is that it is necessary for improving our mental health. A key psychological idea behind this is the Premack Principle, which explains why treating ourselves is more than a tendency; it's a way to improve our daily lives.
In the 1960s, American psychologist David Premack developed a theory now known as Premack Principle. He explained that doing something you're more likely to do can be a reward for doing something you don't actually want to do. For instance, if you finish a task you're not interested in, like cleaning the bathroom, you can treat yourself to something you like, such as watching an episode of your favorite TV show. This approach takes advantage of our natural need for fun to help us get through tasks we might not enjoy.
Recent studies keep showing that giving yourself rewards can help improve your work and happiness. For example, Woolley and Fishbach discovered that getting rewards right away can make you more motivated because it links the reward directly with the task. What's interesting is that it's not about how big the reward is but how quickly you get it that matters. Another study by Landry and others found it's not the reward itself but rather how the reward makes people feel that helps them do their best. This makes sense because rewards boost our dopamine (多巴胺) levels, which plays a key role in how our brains feel pleasure.
The idea of giving ourselves "little treats" is not just about enjoying something; it's proof of how positive reinforcement can change our behavior and make us feel better mentally. By carefully using the Premack Principle and rewarding ourselves, we can find more motivation (动机) to face challenges and lead a happier life. It's okay to
recognize and celebrate our efforts, big or small.
So, go ahead, give yourself that little treat. You've earned it.
Going on a solo travel adventure is more than just a holiday. The decision to explore the world alone opens the door to a number of experiences that can reshape your life attitudes, build your confidence, and enrich your life in ways you may have never imagined! Here are some ways that solo traveling can change your life.
It might mean overcoming language difficulties, finding your way through confusing public transportation systems, or making quick decisions. The decisions you make, from choosing destinations to exploring unfamiliar streets, are totally your own. In this process, you discover aspects of yourself that may have remained unknown in your daily life.
One of the most enriching aspects of solo travel is the opportunity to experience different cultures. Whether it's starting a conversation with a street vendor (摊贩 ) or sharing a meal with locals, solo travel provides a unique window into the cultural makeup of each destination.
Solo travel is a constant exercise in adaptability and problem-solving. From understanding foreign languages to managing unexpected changes in plans, you are regularly faced with problems that demand creative solutions. .
Solo travel is a journey of self-reliance and independence. As you go through the headaches of planning and making a trip on your own, you surely build a deep sense of self-confidence. You have to rely on yourself to choose the next destination, manage your money and solve unexpected problems.
Solo travel is an exploration of the self, an opportunity for cultural immersion (浸润) , and a spark for personal growth. The impact of solo travel extends beyond the length of your trip, leaving you with a set of skills, perspectives, and memories that will last a lifetime.
A. Solo travel forces you out of your comfort zone.
B. Being alone makes you more approachable to locals.
C. The challenges sometimes make you feel frustrated.
D. It's a journey of self-discovery, growth and transformation.
E. The decisions, both big and small, are entirely yours to make.
F. The lessons learned on the road translate into increased self-respect.
G. These problem-solving skills become valuable wealth in your everyday life.
All I ever wanted was to belong, to wear that hat of belonging.
In seventh and eighth grades I still 1 about forty pounds, which is too skinny. I was twelve years old and had been getting laughed at for my 2 looks for most of my life.
But I was funny. So the popular kids let me 3 with them, go to their parties and watch them have fun with each other. This, as you might imagine, did not help my 4 a great deal. I thought I was a total 5 .
But one day I took a notebook and a pen when I went to Bolinas Beach with my 6 . Like a writer, I wrote a (n) 7 of what I saw: "I walked to the lip of the water and let the tongue of the rushing water 8 my toes. A sand crab dug a hole a few inches from my foot and then disappeared into the damp sand. . . With a sense of 9 , I began my walk back, leaving the beauty of the moment behind. "
It goes on for quite a while. My father 10 me to show it to a teacher, and it ended up being 11 in a real textbook. This deeply 12 my teachers and parents and a few kids, even some of the 13 kids, who invited me to their parties even more often. This changed my life, showing me that true 14 comes from
within, not just 15 .
Zheng Xiaohui, a Chinese student in Milan, Italy, has performed a lot of erhu performances on the street, spreading (tradition) Chinese culture to the world. She comes from Shandong Province and arrived in Italy in
2021. She has been playing erhu since she was 9, (win) prizes in many national music competitions.
Since April 2023, she has been performing on the street during her free time, and now she does three or four shows a month. She (plan) no street performances at first, her idea changed in the previous year after watching a video of a violinist performing on the street. (dress) in hanfu and wearing careful makeup, she was nervous during her first street performance, but warm response from the audience immediately cheered her up. Some audience even attempted to play the erhu (they) .
After performing a few times, she began recording and posting videos of her street performances on the Internet, soon become popular online. All these efforts have been made (show) the charm of Chinese erhu to the world.
Talking about the future, she looks forward it, and said that whatever she does and wherever she lives, she will bring her erhu with her.
1. 活动建议及理由；
2. 鼓励与祝愿。
注意：
1. 写作词数应为80个左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题纸的相应位置作答。
Dear Noah,
Yours,
Li Hua
Once upon a time, there was a girl named Sara. She had a passion for soccer that burned brighter than any other flame in her heart. However, Sara faced a big challenge—her legs were not as strong as her friends, requiring her to rely on crutches (拐杖) for support.
Saras friends gathered on the soccer field every day, their laughter and shouts of excitement filling the air. She watched them with envy, longing to join in their games. But whenever she tried to play, the reality of her limitations would hit her hard, and she would feel a wave of disappointment. Despite this, Sara refused to let her dreams die. She loved soccer with all her heart, and she was determined not to give up.
One day, the school announced an important soccer match. Sara's heart skipped a beat when she heard the news. She wanted to participate more than anything, but she knew that many kids would doubt her abilities because of her legs. Instead of giving up to their doubts, Sara chose to accept them as a source of strength.
She began practising hard every day after school. Using her crutches, she kicked the ball with all her strength, gradually mastering the art of balancing herself. Sometimes, she would fall down, but each time, she would pick herself up with determination. Her face would be sweaty and dirty, but her eyes would shine with determination.
Finally, the day arrived. Sara's team had made it to the final match, and she had been given a chance to play. The crowd roared with excitement as she took her position on the field. Everyone cheered her on, their voices a mix of encouragement and admiration. Although Sara couldn't run like the others, she used her skills and wisdom to pass the ball, her crutches becoming her secret weapon (武器) on the field.
注意：
1. 续写词数应为100左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题纸的相应位置作答.
In the last moments, the ball came to Sara.
