Fergus presented his first Edinburgh International Festival programme in August 2015 and was appointed to lead the organisation for five Festivals until 2019. The Board of the Festival has now invited him to lead a further three Festivals, until September 2022.

Under his direction the Festival has enjoyed record sales and has extended to new audiences through innovative programmes as well as being critically acclaimed by audiences and media alike.

Fergus Linehan, Festival Director said: ‘I am very grateful to the Board of the Edinburgh International Festival for giving me the opportunity to lead this extraordinary institution for a further three years. The commitment and creativity of the Festival team has made the past three years the most professionally exhilarating period of my career.

‘We have tried, over this time, to broaden the Festival’s appeal while safeguarding our commitment to quality and virtuosity. Over the next 5 years we look forward to developing new initiatives that will support the continued growth and development of this remarkable event. I would like to thank our stakeholders, donors, fellow festivals and, most particularly, the people of Edinburgh for their ongoing support and enthusiasm.’

Niall Lothian, Chairman of the Festival’s Board of Trustees said: ‘We’re delighted that Fergus has accepted the Board’s invitation to extend his contract as Festival Director to 2022. His first three Festivals revealed his in-depth knowledge of all cultural genres and his extensive contact book of artists and performers. Future Festivals will, I’m sure, continue to reveal his creativity and innovation.'

Photo credit:
Fergus Linehan © Mihaela Bodlovic