The Global Ideas Stage
The Global Ideas Stage
Join us for an unconventional, inquisitive and convivial conversation, inspired by our Festival theme.
The Global Ideas Stage features intimate dialogues followed by a panel discussion between Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, filmmaker Ken Burns, lawyer and social justice activist Bryan Stevenson and journalist Amy Goodman.
Edinburgh has long been a crucible for ideas. Two and a half centuries ago, pioneering thinkers like Adam Smith and David Hume mingled in coffeehouses, openly debated theories, and envisioned leaps forward in how we understand markets, morality, and the threads that bind human society.
Today, the world faces challenges that demand the same combination of insight and imagination, and Edinburgh has become a festival city, spawning ideas and creativity that will shape our future.
In collaboration with Professor Adam Dixon and Panmure House, the last home of Adam Smith, we are proud to present a bold new form of public discourse. Curated and hosted by Harvard University professor and award-winning author Sarah Lewis, alongside Festival Director Nicola Benedetti, the inaugural Global Ideas Stage will unite extraordinary thinkers and cultural leaders on stage at the newly redeveloped King’s Theatre. Expect surprise performances from stars of the 2026 programme.
This performance is being filmed for broadcast. If you would prefer not to be filmed, please let a member of the Front of House team know.
Supported by James and Morag Anderson
Additional support for the Festival's return to the King's Theatre is provided by Sir Ewan and Lady Brown
Programme
Created in collaboration with Panmure House and Heriot Watt University.
Programme
'Amazing Grace' performed by Wynton Marsalis
Introductions from Sarah Lewis and Nicola Benedetti
Film clips from 'The American Revolution'. A film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein & David Schmidt (2025)
Discussion between Ken Burns, Sarah Lewis and Nicola Benedetti
'A Man's a Man for a' that' by Robert Burns. Sung by Beth Taylor, accompanied by Hamish Brown
Discussion between Rt Hon Gordon Brown and Adam Dixon
'Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen' performed by Jason Max Ferdinand Singers
Discussion between Bryan Stevenson and Sarah Lewis
Trailer and clip from 'Steal this Story, Please!'. Directors Carl Deal and Tia Lessin (2025)
Discussion between Amy Goodman and Sarah Lewis
Panel discussion
'Ashokan Farewell' performed by Nicola Benedetti
Music
'Amazing Grace' by John Newton. Amongst the most sung and recorded hymns in the world, with a message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of the sins people commit.
'A Man's a Man for A' That' by Robert Burns is a song that reflects Burns' political and moral views. Burns was believed to have been influenced by Thomas Paine's 'The Rights of Man', both of them dealing with the idea of liberty, equality and universal human rights.
'Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen' is an African-American spiritual song that originated during the period of slavery but not published until 1866. Jason Max Ferdinand Singers sang this arrangement at Equal Justice Initiative's Legacy Museum as part of Juneteenth programming in 2025.
'Ashokan Farewell' composed by Jay Ungar 1982, in the style of a Scottish lament, often serves as a farewell waltz and was used in Ken Burn's 'The Civil War' series.
Speakers
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- Nicola Benedetti
- Gordon Brown
- Ken Burns
- Adam Dixon
- Amy Goodman
- Sarah Lewis
- Bryan Stevenson
